A 21-year-old man, sought by the United States Army for military desertion, was apprehended in Miami-Dade on Wednesday after attempting to evade officers during a traffic stop, resulting in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a civilian.
The event unfolded around 7:42 p.m. in Brownsville, located in the northwest part of the county. Officers from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) Robbery Intervention Unit had stopped the vehicle driven by Luis Manuel Pérez, a Miami resident, as reported by NBC Miami.
Upon checking his identification, officers discovered an active arrest warrant issued by the U.S. Armed Forces. Instead of complying, Pérez chose to speed away from the scene.
The pursuit concluded shortly thereafter on a dead-end street. According to authorities, Pérez made a U-turn, ignored a stop sign, and collided with a civilian vehicle with such force that it overturned.
The crash also involved an unmarked MDSO car, which housed an officer engaged in the pursuit of Pérez.
“I saw him hit the car and watched it flip through the air. That's when he ran over there,” a witness told Local 10. “I saw it happening. I saw parts of the car flying through the air.”
The civilian driver was rushed in critical condition to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. His identity is being withheld as authorities notify his family.
The officer involved received on-site medical attention from the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and did not require hospitalization.
Pérez was taken into custody following the crash and transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation.
The U.S. Army later confirmed an active warrant for military desertion against Pérez, issued on February 15, 2026, from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
“The Army confirms an active military desertion warrant for Luis Manuel Pérez, dated February 15, 2026, from Fort Bliss, Texas. The Army does not comment on pending legal proceedings or the resolution of concurrent civil and military jurisdiction,” stated the institution in a release.
In addition to the pending military case, Pérez now faces charges related to the deadly crash in Miami-Dade.
The young man remains in county jail as the investigation continues, and authorities work to determine how the civil and military legal processes will be handled.
Key Details Surrounding the Miami Pursuit and Crash
What triggered the pursuit in Miami-Dade?
The pursuit was initiated after officers discovered that Luis Manuel Pérez had an active arrest warrant from the U.S. Armed Forces for military desertion during a routine traffic stop.
How did the crash impact civilians and officers?
The crash resulted in the death of a civilian driver, who was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries. An officer involved received medical attention at the scene but did not need hospitalization.