Skip to content
Burglary Chase Ends in Multi-Car Crash in West Little River
By Kaiser Romanello, Esq. | Kaiser Romanello Accident & Injury Attorneys | February 13, 2026
On Thursday, February 12, 2026, a burglary suspect fleeing Miami-Dade deputies caused a violent multi-car collision in the West Little River neighborhood of Miami-Dade County. The crash, which occurred near Northwest 95th Street and 27th Avenue, left multiple innocent people injured and requiring emergency medical attention — including at least two individuals who had to be extricated from the wreckage by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
As a South Florida personal injury attorney who has represented victims of reckless driving and police pursuit crashes for over a decade, I want to break down what happened, the legal rights of those injured, and what steps victims should take right now to protect their ability to recover full compensation.
What Happened: A Burglary, a Chase, and Innocent People Caught in the Crossfire
According to NBC 6 South Florida and Miami-Dade Sheriff’s officials, the incident began around 2:15 p.m. when deputies attempted to stop a vehicle connected to a burglary near NW 98th Street and 22nd Avenue. Rather than comply, the suspects fled, leading deputies on a pursuit through residential streets.
The chase ended catastrophically when the fleeing vehicle crashed near NW 95th Street and 27th Avenue, involving multiple cars and leaving wreckage scattered across the roadway. Aerial footage from Chopper 6 showed at least two severely damaged vehicles — one overturned on the median and another driven through a fence. Law enforcement recovered a rifle and a handgun from the suspect vehicle. Three suspects were taken into custody.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported that two people had to be extricated from the wreckage, and four adults were transported to a trauma center. While all were reportedly in stable condition, the physical, emotional, and financial toll of a crash this violent can last months or even years.
Legal Insights: Who Is Liable When a Police Chase Causes a Crash?
Crashes resulting from high-speed police pursuits present some of the most complex liability questions in personal injury law. Based on my experience handling these cases in Florida, here are the key legal avenues victims should understand:
1. Liability of the Fleeing Suspect
The individual who fled law enforcement bears primary liability. Under Florida law, a person who causes a crash while fleeing police can be held both criminally and civilly responsible for injuries to innocent bystanders. Florida Statute §316.1935 makes fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer a felony, and victims can pursue a civil claim against the driver for all resulting damages — including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Additionally, because weapons were recovered from the vehicle and the pursuit originated from a burglary, there is a strong argument for punitive damages — damages designed to punish particularly reckless or egregious conduct.
2. Potential Government and Law Enforcement Liability
This is where these cases get nuanced. Florida’s sovereign immunity statute (§768.28) provides a limited waiver that allows individuals to sue government entities, including sheriff’s offices, under certain conditions. If the deputies’ pursuit was conducted in violation of the department’s own pursuit policies — for example, continuing a high-speed chase through a residential area for a property crime when the risk to public safety outweighed the need for immediate apprehension — the government entity could share liability.
Many law enforcement agencies in Florida have adopted pursuit policies that require officers to weigh the severity of the offense against the danger the chase poses to the public. A pursuit that begins over a burglary and ends with innocent people in a trauma center raises serious questions about whether those policies were followed.
3. Third-Party Vehicle Owners and the Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine
Under Florida’s dangerous instrumentality doctrine, the registered owner of a vehicle can be held vicariously liable for injuries caused by anyone they permitted to drive it. If the fleeing vehicle was borrowed, rented, or otherwise entrusted to the suspect by someone else, that vehicle owner may also bear financial responsibility for the victims’ injuries.
What Injured Victims Should Do Right Now
If you or a loved one was injured in this West Little River crash — or any crash caused by a fleeing suspect or police pursuit — the steps you take in the coming days can make or break your case:
Seek immediate and ongoing medical care.
Even if you were told your condition was “stable” at the hospital, follow up with your primary care physician, an orthopedist, or a neurologist within 48 hours. Crash injuries — including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries — often present delayed symptoms. A complete medical record linking your injuries to the crash is critical to your claim.
Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company.
Adjusters will contact you quickly. Their goal is to minimize what they pay. Anything you say can and will be used to reduce your settlement.
Document everything.
Photograph your injuries, your vehicle damage, and the crash scene if possible. Save all medical records, bills, and correspondence. Keep a written journal of your symptoms, limitations, and how the crash has affected your daily life.
Contact a personal injury attorney experienced in pursuit-related crashes.
These cases involve multiple potential defendants, government liability claims with strict notice requirements, and complex insurance coverage issues. You need an attorney who knows how to navigate all of it.
Florida Law and the Statute of Limitations
Under Florida’s current statute of limitations for negligence claims (§95.11), you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, claims against government entities like the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office carry additional pre-suit notice requirements under §768.28 that demand action well before that deadline. Waiting too long can permanently bar your right to recover compensation.
Read the Original News Report
For the full details as reported by NBC 6 South Florida, you can read the original article here: Burglary Leads to Chase and Multi-Car Crash in West Little River: Deputies — NBC 6 South Florida
Injured in a Car Accident in Miami?
We Don’t Take “Low” For an Answer.
If you or someone you love was hurt in this crash or any car accident in South Florida, Kaiser Romanello Accident & Injury Attorneys is here to fight for the full compensation you deserve. Our consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Recent Victories for Clients
$5 Million
Negligent Security
$4 Million
Truck Accident
$1 Million
Ride Share
$1 Million
Car Accident
“Kaiser Romanello changed my life. They are The Dream Team! Could not recommend them anymore! If you want to get the most money for your personal injury claim call Kaiser Romanello today!”
-Lu R
Former client
“l just got off the phone with Mr. Loren Kaiser for a free consultation and he was absolutely amazing. He was extremely helpful, detail oriented and did not add any “rushed” feeling to the phone call. If I have anything substantial to move forward with, I will proudly utilize this law office. Thank you, Mr. Kaiser, for your help, input and advice! It is greatly appreciated.”
-Trina R
Former client
“Steve and his partner are just very knowledgeable, amazing client service, Steve it is the kind of persons who loves what he is doing, he went about and beyond his lawyer responsibilities in my case, they care about you, If you are looking for professionals at the highest levels, use their services. Not only you will be represented by top lawyers, but you feel like part of the family. Thanks for everything, God bless you.”
-Carlos V
Former client