According to the Miami Herald, a Miami motorcycle police officer died in a crash involving several vehicles on Tuesday afternoon near the Florida International University’s Southwest Dade campus.
The accident occurred around 1:47 p.m. local time at the intersection of Southwest Eighth Street and 137th Avenue. Jorge Sanchez, 53, traveled west on Southwest Eighth Street on his way to work when an SUV crashed into his motorcycle.
The rear-end collision pushed Sanchez and his motorcycle into the intersection where oncoming traffic struck him again. According to the Miami Herald, witnesses attempted to save Sanchez’s life but he died at the scene.
Several other vehicles received damage after the initial collision, injuring a dozen people. Many occupants received treatment at a hospital, and two of the crash victims sustained critical injuries. The violent chain reaction event left a car severely damaged and flipped on its side and Sanchez’s motorcycle mangled.
The Miami Herald reports that the massive crash left the intersection in mayhem, taking police hours to determine the number of injured and cars involved in the wreck and to sift through evidence. The police investigation is ongoing.
Sanchez served the police department for 21 years and leaves behind a son, who is also on the police force, a fiancé, another son, and a daughter. The Miami Herald reports that Sanchez had 17 months left to go until he could retire.
The following information is provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):