Florida Driver Allegedly Too Intoxicated to Realize He Caused Fatal Crash on MacArthur Causeway
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A Florida man was reportedly so intoxicated that he was “completely unaware” why police had stopped him after crashing into a parked car, resulting in the ejection and death of a woman inside.
The crash occurred on the MacArthur Causeway on Friday, February 21, temporarily shutting down areas between Fountain Street and 5th Street & Alton Road, according to the Miami Beach Police Department.
Nicholas Devon Robinson, 24, was allegedly driving at an estimated 100 mph in a 40 mph zone while returning from a birthday celebration at a South Beach bar. He was behind the wheel of a silver Polestar Model 2 when he lost control, swerving into a cement divider before colliding with a Jeep Wrangler parked on the left side of the westbound lanes.
According to reports from CBS affiliate WFOR-TV, NBC affiliate WTVJ, and ABC affiliate WPLG, Miami Beach police had earlier assisted 19-year-old Gabriela Alejandra Rios Flores in moving her broken-down Jeep to the shoulder. She was inside the vehicle when Robinson struck it from behind with such force that it was sent over the divider, ejecting her.
Officers stated that Robinson appeared “completely unaware that he was just involved in a traffic crash” when detained. He reportedly asked officers, “Why are you stopping me? It’s my birthday. Did you get the other car?” He later vomited in the back of a patrol vehicle.
Detectives noted Robinson exhibited “possible signs of impairment,” including slurred speech, an odor of alcohol, and bloodshot, watery eyes. After refusing a blood test, police obtained a warrant for a blood sample before booking him into jail.
Initially charged with reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and DUI with serious bodily injury, Robinson faced an additional charge of vehicular homicide/reckless manner after Rios Flores succumbed to her injuries at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
During a court appearance, a prosecutor indicated that the charges against Robinson could be upgraded to manslaughter. He is currently being held at the Metrowest Detention Center on a $200,000 bond.