MIAMI – A veteran Miami Police officer has been temporarily relieved of duty after he was given a criminal citation for a hitting a parked car and leaving the scene.
At 11:30 p.m. on July 20, investigators said Juan Mendez, a Sergeant, was driving a Lexus RX30 on Overbrook Street and approaching the intersection at Kirk Street when he veered into a parked car.
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The car was pushed 24 feet into the roadway, according to the citation.
Investigators said Mendez and a passenger walked away from the crash, despite witnesses telling the pair to stay on scene.
VIEW: Incident report
Mendez, however, "returned some time later and remained on the scene," according to the report. That time was not specified, but police reportedly cleared the scene at 5 a.m.
Miami police said Mendez has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.