Local 10 News anchor Jacey Birch released from hospital after crash

Pregnant anchor recovers at home with Trent Aric, 3 dogs

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Local 10 News morning co-anchor Jacey Birch is back at home after a crash that sent her to a hospital.

Birch was released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon. Her husband, Local 10 News meteorologist Trent Aric, was by her side.

Birch, who is nine months pregnant, was on her way to work early Tuesday when her car was struck by another car that ran a red light at a Miami Shores intersection.

Police said Ralph Brutus was the driver of the car that slammed into Birch's car. He was taken to a hospital to be treated for a sprained neck and then arrested on an outstanding warrant for marijuana possession.

Birch suffered a broken leg and a concussion, but her immediate concern was for her unborn baby boy, Jupiter.

"The doctor thought for sure the accident would stimulate labor," she said.

That didn't happen. An ultrasound revealed a strong heartbeat, but Birch was kept overnight in the hospital for observation.

Birch is now recovering at home, surrounded by Aric and her three dogs.

"I said, 'He's as stubborn as I am,'" Birch said. "He doesn't want anybody to know when he's coming. He's going to come when he comes, right?"

Brutus was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

He has been given pretrial services and ordered by a judge not to drive upon being released from jail because he does not have a valid driver's license.

He also will have a curfew from dusk to dawn and could be sentenced to six months in jail if he breaks any of the conditions of his release.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.