Kendall, Florida — A 28-year-old Miami woman is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say she struck a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy with her vehicle during an early morning patrol, leaving the deputy with life-threatening injuries.
Officials confirmed that Janice Garcia surrendered to authorities Sunday, nearly a month after the violent crash that occurred in Kendall.
Deputy Seriously Injured During Patrol
According to an arrest report, the incident happened shortly after 3:30 a.m. on April 11 while Deputy Josh Brown and another deputy were patrolling the Kendall District together.
Investigators say Brown was outside his patrol vehicle in the 8500 block of Southwest 99th Court when Garcia allegedly struck him with her blue Mazda MZ3.
Brown later told detectives that Garcia had flashed her vehicle’s high beams before the collision occurred. Another deputy reportedly noticed the vehicle driving dangerously close to the edge of the roadway moments before impact.
According to the report, Brown attempted to move out of the vehicle’s path but was unable to avoid being hit.
Authorities said the impact was so severe that the deputy was propelled through the air.
Deputy Suffered Severe Injuries
Emergency responders rushed Brown to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital with life-threatening injuries following the crash.
Authorities later confirmed the deputy suffered a concussion, multiple injuries across his body, and required extensive medical treatment.
According to investigators, Brown had to undergo ankle surgery and also needed a skin graft procedure as part of his recovery.
The severity of the injuries shocked both law enforcement officials and members of the local community.
Police Say Driver Showed Signs of Intoxication
Investigators reported that Garcia appeared visibly distressed after the crash and displayed several signs commonly associated with intoxication.
According to the arrest report, Garcia had “slurred speech, bloodshot, watery eyes” and officers noted that her breath smelled like alcohol.
A member of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Impaired Driving Enforcement Squad said Garcia told him, “Tell me what my rights are” before agreeing to perform field sobriety exercises.
Authorities say she ultimately failed the sobriety tests.
Garcia later consented to blood testing, which reportedly revealed blood-alcohol content levels of .156 percent and .154 percent — nearly twice Florida’s legal limit of .08 percent for drivers.
Woman Faces DUI Charges
Following her surrender Sunday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, Garcia was charged with:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- DUI causing serious bodily injury
Officials said she is expected to appear in bond court Monday.
University Student Found Fatally Stabbed in Housing Complex as Suspect Remains on the Run
The case has drawn attention throughout the local law enforcement community because of the serious injuries suffered by Deputy Brown while performing his duties.
Support Grows for Injured Deputy
After Garcia’s arrest, the Hispanic Police Officers Association shared a photo of Deputy Brown on Instagram showing some of the injuries he sustained during the crash.
“For those who have asked how they can support Deputy Brown and the Brown family during this difficult time, attendance at the hearing would certainly not go unnoticed,” the post read in part.
“Please continue keeping Deputy Brown and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
The incident serves as another reminder of the dangers impaired driving can pose not only to the public, but also to first responders working to keep communities safe.
What are your thoughts on this case? Share your opinion respectfully in the comments below.
