Miami-Dade police officer charged in hit-and-run crash

Larry Laverde charged with DUI, fleeing scene of traffic crash

MIAMI – A seven-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department was charged in a hit-and-run crash on Sunday.

Police arrested 30-year-old Larry Laverde and charged him with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a traffic crash, and two counts of DUI property damage.

According to an arrest affidavit, about 2:20 a.m. Sunday, Laverde ran the red light at Southwest 127th Avenue and 56th Street and hit a car going eastbound. Debris from the crash then hit another car going westbound.

Laverde was off duty and driving his patrol vehicle at the time of the crash, police said. He drove home, but the two other drivers involved in the crash followed him.

Laverde later called a coworker and said he was involved in a crash, police said. The two met at a parking lot in the 9400 block of Flagler Street, where Laverde said he "f-ed up."

Responding officers noted the smell of alcohol on Laverde's breath, police said. Laverde performed a field sobriety test and failed. He was then arrested.

Laverde was suspended with pay pending an internal affairs investigation.