A Miami-Dade police officer was taken to the hospital after his patrol car crashed into the rear of an 18-wheeler at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday on the Florida Turnpike southbound near Kendall Drive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The driver of the truck, Willis Butler, was not injured, according to the FHP.
"All we know is that he was going Southbound on the Turnpike when the vehicles collided," said Javier Baez, Miami-Dade police spokesman. "The other driver is fine, the rest is under investigation."
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived on scene to free the officer from the car. He was taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center where he was in stable condition on Thursday morning, according to the FHP.
"He's alive," said Tom Pikul, FHP spokesman. "We controlled traffic and blocked some lanes."
Police did not disclose the officer's name.
The roadway was cleared shortly after the accident.
This article will be updated as more details become available.
Copyright 2011 - The Miami Herald
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
