A woman accused of driving a stolen car caused a series of crashes in Florida before trying to carjack a man who stopped to help her, deputies say. The chaotic afternoon ended with a vehicle smashing into a gas station convenience store.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office identified the woman as 44-year-old Roszetta Benjamin. Deputies say she was already driving a stolen vehicle when she crashed into three other cars in Deerfield Beach on Friday, October 23.
But the crashes weren’t over. Benjamin allegedly fled the first scene, caused another collision, and then tried to take a vehicle from a Good Samaritan who came to her aid.
Video captured the aftermath at a Mobil gas station, where deputies ordered Benjamin to the ground before taking her into custody. Several people suffered injuries during the crashes, and one person was taken to a hospital.
Crashes Caught on Camera
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According to the Local 10 report, Benjamin’s first crash happened near Northeast 54th Street and South Federal Highway.
Deputies received reports of that crash around 2:47 p.m. The stolen vehicle Benjamin was allegedly driving collided with three other cars. People in those vehicles suffered minor injuries.
Instead of remaining at the scene, Benjamin allegedly drove away.
Deputies say she then caused another crash near North Federal Highway and Hillsboro Boulevard. This time, the stolen car was too damaged to keep driving.
The other driver involved in that collision suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Then someone stopped to help.
Helping Hand Turns Dangerous
A Good Samaritan pulled over to assist Benjamin following the second crash. Instead of accepting his help, deputies say she tried to steal his vehicle.
The two struggled over the car. During that struggle, Benjamin allegedly put the vehicle in drive and accelerated.
The car then slammed into a Mobil gas station convenience store on Hillsboro Boulevard.
WSVN 7News captured the damage at the store, including a large opening in one of its window panels.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived and arrested Benjamin. Footage aired by Local 10 shows deputies shouting commands as she is taken into custody.
The crashes also brought Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue crews to the area. CBS News Miami reported that firefighters checked several people for injuries and transported one person to a hospital for further evaluation.
Gas Station Damage
The people inside the convenience store also had a close call.
Wade Anby Beau, a gas station employee, told NBC 6 South Florida that he heard a loud crash and ran to see what had happened.
He said another driver had stopped to help the woman before she jumped into that person’s car and drove toward the store.
Photographs from the scene showed Benjamin standing on the hood of the vehicle after the crash.
Inside the store, drink coolers had fallen, and broken glass was scattered around. Beau said he spent time cleaning up the mess.
He was especially concerned about how badly someone could have been hurt. Customers regularly walk through the area where the vehicle struck the building.
Despite the damage, Beau said he was grateful that nobody was seriously injured.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue initially reported that the building did not appear to have structural damage.
Multiple Criminal Charges
Benjamin faces several criminal charges connected to the events, including carjacking, kidnapping, grand theft, and hit-and-run.
During her Saturday court appearance, she declined to appear on camera, according to Local 10. A Broward County judge found probable cause for several charges, with a further court appearance expected Sunday concerning the kidnapping charge.
NBC 6 separately reported that a judge set her bond at more than $104,000. Her current custody and bond status will need to be confirmed through court records.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active.