MIAMI, FL – A tragic accident over the weekend in Miami’s Flagami neighborhood has claimed the life of a 23-year-old woman after a collision involving a Miami police cruiser. The crash, which occurred Saturday night at the intersection of Northwest 47th Avenue and 77th Street, also left two women standing nearby and the police officer with injuries.
The young victim, identified as Michelle Veronica Salmeron Membreno, had just left a local gym and was heading towards a bus stop when the police vehicle collided with another car. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with debris scattered and a bus stop bench destroyed by the impact.
Sergio Velazquez, who was near the scene, recounted hearing the crash’s loud noise and witnessing the aftermath. “The impact was so strong it took away the bench and the ladies on the sidewalk,” he said. “When we saw it, they were already lying on the floor.”
Emergency responders quickly arrived, performing CPR on Membreno and another woman before they were transported to the hospital. Cell phone footage captured the frantic efforts to save Membreno, showing her lying on the ground as police and bystanders gathered around. Despite these efforts, Membreno succumbed to her injuries.
The police officer involved in the crash was treated for injuries at Jackson Memorial Hospital and is expected to recover. Authorities confirmed that the officer was not responding to an emergency call at the time of the accident, but details surrounding the incident remain scarce as the investigation continues.
On Monday morning, police returned to the crash site in search of additional evidence and surveillance footage that might shed light on the circumstances leading up to the collision. The driver of the other vehicle involved is also expected to recover from the incident.
Attempts to reach Membreno’s family for comment were unsuccessful, as they reside near the crash site but have not yet spoken publicly about the tragedy.