A veteran lieutenant from the Hialeah Police Department was arrested and is facing charges for driving under the influence of alcohol following an accident that occurred on Tuesday morning in the northwest Miami-Dade County, local authorities confirmed.
The individual was identified as Erik Martin, 45 years old, who faces charges for DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) and DUI with property damage or injury to individuals, according to the arrest report.
The accident occurred around 6:05 AM near Northwest 72nd Avenue and Northwest 47th Street, and involved a truck from Waste Management.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office agents arrived at the scene of the incident and, upon interacting with Martin, noticed clear signs of intoxication.
The report details that the lieutenant was unsteady while walking, with red and watery eyes, slurred speech, and a strong smell of alcohol on his breath.
During the procedure, Martin was aggressive with the officers, which led to him being handcuffed before being transported to Jackson West Medical Center.
A researcher asked him if he understood what was happening and if he knew he had been involved in an accident. According to the report, Martin responded “I don’t know” to all the questions that were asked of him.
Subsequently, he refused to undergo sobriety tests at the scene and also declined to provide a blood sample before being taken to jail.
Official records indicate that Martin is a lieutenant in the Hialeah Police Department and a veteran of the Marine Corps.
The Hialeah Police Department itself confirmed in a statement that the incident occurred while the officer was off duty.
The institution also reported that Martin has been placed on administrative leave while the corresponding criminal and internal investigations are conducted.
The chief of police in Hialeah, George Fuente, described the case as profoundly disappointing.
In his statement, he emphasized that while the department remains committed to due process, such accusations ” tarnish the badge” and distract from the work of the officers who serve the community with integrity.
“We do not approve of this behavior,” Fuente stated.
However, the chief acknowledged that the officers are “human” and assured that the department will ensure that the lieutenant receives the assistance and necessary resources while facing the upcoming legal and disciplinary processes.