A man accused of driving drunk when he allegedly struck a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputy who was helping out with a crash on the Florida’s Turnpike just days after Christmas was back behind bars on Thursday as the deputy’s brother spoke for the first time.
Lonnel Brinson is facing charges of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, DUI with serious bodily injury, knowingly driving with a suspended licensed, and driving without a license or with a suspended license causing serious bodily injury in the Dec. 27 crash that injured Deputy Leo Cantave.
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Lonnel Brinson is led into court on Feb. 26, 2026.
Brinson was initially arrested after the crash but was placed back into custody Thursday and appeared in court after prosecutors added charges.
He was originally charged with reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. Brinson has pleaded not guilty.
Cantave had stopped to help the Florida Highway Patrol with a crash on the Florida’s Turnpike when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Brinson, who didn’t slow down, investigators said.
Leo Cantave
Brinson stayed at the scene and admitted to consuming marijuana and alcohol before the crash, and told authorities he had marijuana and a firearm in his car, an arrest report said.
The crash left Cantave critically injured and he spent weeks in the hospital before he was released earlier this month.
Cantave was in court Wednesday in a wheelchair with his arm in a sling and surrounded by more than a dozen fellow deputies as Brinson was arraigned by Zoom on the new charges.
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Miami-Dade Deputy Leo Cantave in court on Feb. 25, 2026.
The deputy’s brother, Jay Cantave, said the last few months have been hard.
“My brother almost didn’t make it home. We’re lucky to have him,” Jay Cantave said. “It’s been pretty tough. We’re just there as a support system daily and hoping that the days go by fast enough for him to walk again and hopefully put on a uniform again.”
Cantave has been with Miami law enforcement for 20 years and started with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue before joining the sheriff’s office.
“To see him struggle to walk and to even stand and use the bathroom, it just touches home,” Jay Cantave said.
Brinson was granted a $10,000 bond, and his attorney, Michele Borchew, said he was expected to be released Thursday night.
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Lonnel Brinson
Borchew released a statement on Wednesday after the arraignment.
“While Mr. Brinson maintains his innocence of the charges as alleged by the State, he is deeply remorseful and saddened that this accident resulted in such harm to Deputy Cantave. Mr. Brinson and his family have kept the deputy in their daily prayers and sincerely hope for a full and speedy recovery,” the statement read. “Mr. Brinson is a lifelong member of the South Florida community with a strong family support system, and no prior criminal history. He is fully committed to cooperating with the legal process and looks forward to the opportunity to present the full facts of this matter in the proper forum. His hope is that through this process, there can be a path toward healing — for the deputy, for his family, and for everyone affected.”