MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach police say they are investigating after an officer got into a serious crash on his police-issued ATV early Sunday morning.
Police said that officer was on-duty, patrolling the beach, when he crashed the ATV in the sand off Ocean Drive near Fourth Street.
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On Monday, police confirmed the name of the officer involved is Derick Kuilan. He has been with the department for five years.
Police also said that Kuilan had an unauthorized person on the ATV, which is in direct violation of Departmental policy.
"The person who was thrown from the ATV at the time of the accident has been identified as Adelee Sharie Martin, 27 years old. Ms. Martin was treated for minor injuries and was released the morning of the accident," according to a police department statement issued on Monday.
Two other people were hurt in the crash.
They were identified as Kitzie Nicantor, 28, from Washington state. She underwent surgery and is listed as in stable condition. Also injured was Luis Almonte, 29, from North Miami who transported and remains at Mt Sinai Hospital and is listed as in stable condition.
Local 10 has confirmed that the investigation is looking into the possibility that the officer was drunk at the time of the crash.
Police Chief Carlos Noriega said, "On my orders the officer was immediately relieved of duty pending the results of the various investigations. Should the investigations determine that the officer involved in this accident failed to follow existing policies and/ or procedures then I will take swift and firm action. The safety and well being of our residents and visitors is the Miami Beach Police Department's primary mission."
According to the police statement, there is a second officer under investigation who was not directly involved in the accident. Information about this officer and his investigation will be forthcoming in the next couple of days, police said
In 2003, a Miami Beach officer ran over two sun-bathing sisters with his sports utility vehicle.
The officer was searching for two robbery suspects on the beach and didn't see the women.
One of them died. The other suffered serious injuries.