OPA-LOCKA, Fla. – A Miramar man spent his 52nd birthday in jail Sunday after he injured an Opa-locka police officer during a chase, police said.
The incident happened about 12:45 p.m. when Opa-locka police spotted Jean Philippe Pierre Antoine driving a U-Haul van erratically in the 1700 block of Alibaba Avenue, police said.
Police were able to stop Antoine after a brief chase. However, that stop didn't last long as Antoine stepped on the gas pedal and struck an officer, police said.
Several parked vehicles were also struck during the chase, which ended in Miramar in front of Antoine's home in the 1900 block of State Road 7, police said.
Antoine was arrested on charges of aggravated battery on a police officer, fleeing and eluding a police officer and aggravated assault of a police officer.
The officer was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.