Police officer charged in hit-and-run involved in crashes before

Larry Laverde charged with DUI, leaving scene of traffic crash

DORAL, Fla. – A Miami-Dade police officer charged with driving under the influence in a hit-and-run crash was involved in four crashes his supervisors deemed preventable, according to personnel records.

According to an arrest affidavit, about 2:20 a.m. Sunday, Larry 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, 30, 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. He was also charged with two counts of DUI property damage.