A Florida driver is accused of crashing into a guardrail, abandoning his vehicle in the middle of Interstate 95, and running from deputies before eventually surrendering. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says the incident temporarily disrupted traffic but fortunately did not result in any injuries.
Deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash on I-95 near Martin Highway (State Road 714) after reports of a wrecked vehicle sitting in the roadway. Investigators say the driver had already fled the scene by the time law enforcement arrived.
According to the sheriff’s office, 29-year-old Galindo Juarez-Perez crashed into a guardrail before leaving his vehicle perpendicular to the interstate in the center lane. Authorities say he then ran from the scene in an attempt to avoid being taken into custody.
Deputies quickly tracked Juarez-Perez to the area near the SR-714 overpass, where he ultimately surrendered without further incident. He was arrested and transported to the Martin County Jail for processing.
Driver Faces DUI, Heroin, and Other Charges
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says Juarez-Perez has been charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, possession of heroin, resisting arrest, and driving without a valid license.
According to deputies, Juarez-Perez had never been issued a valid Florida driver’s license. He also told investigators he is from Guatemala.
Although the crash created traffic delays while crews worked to remove the disabled vehicle from the interstate, authorities said no other motorists were injured during the incident.
Social Media Reacts To Interstate Crash
The sheriff’s office’s Facebook post quickly generated hundreds of reactions, with many commenters focusing on the fact that Juarez-Perez did not have a valid driver’s license. Several questioned how someone without a license was able to purchase, register, and insure a vehicle in the first place.
Others joked about the unusual way the incident ended. One commenter quipped that the suspect appeared to be trying to avoid a DUI by leaving the scene, while another referenced the crashed vehicle by saying, “This is Florida, can’t park there!”
Many of the remaining comments centered on immigration after the sheriff’s office noted Juarez-Perez said he is from Guatemala. Some called for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to become involved, while others debated whether his immigration status could be determined based solely on the information released by the sheriff’s office.