NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – A driver who was arrested over the weekend for firing his gun following a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in North Miami appeared to be “extremely paranoid,” when troopers arrived, the Florida Highway Patrol stated in an arrest report.
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According to the report, the crash involving five vehicles occurred late Friday night in the northbound lanes of the highway near Northwest 125th Street.
Troopers said multiple people called 911 after the crash to report that they heard gunshots immediately after the collision.
According to the report, two troopers arrived at the scene and were approached by a motorcyclist who “was visibly panicked” and told them that the driver of a Jaguar F-PACE SUV was armed with a gun.
The troopers then walked toward the SUV and spotted a man, identified as Phillip Nicholas Sanders, 44, of Miami, sitting in the driver’s seat.
Authorities said both troopers issued “loud verbal commands,” ordering Sanders to exit his vehicle, but Sanders allegedly failed to comply at first.
Troopers said Sanders exited the vehicle after several minutes and was detained.
Despite being in handcuffs, Sanders appeared to be “extremely paranoid, repeatedly stating he believed someone was going to shoot or harm him,” and sought cover behind a nearby vehicle, the report stated.
According to the report, another driver told troopers that after the shooting, Sanders threw the gun onto the hood of his car.
Troopers confirmed they found the gun on the hood of a silver Chrysler Caravan.
According to the arrest report, the motorcyclist who initially approached the troopers told them that he was riding in the express lanes when traffic had come to a complete stop.
He said he swerved to the right to avoid a collision and lost control of his motorcycle, ultimately falling to the ground in front of Sanders’ SUV.
According to the report, the motorcyclist said he began walking back toward Sanders’ vehicle, along the passenger side, when Sanders suddenly opened fire, firing through the front passenger-side window.
Troopers said the motorcyclist tried to take cover as Sanders continued to fire, “this time through the rear passenger side window.”
According to the report, during the five-vehicle collision, Sanders rear-ended the Chrysler Caravan and also struck it on the side. The Jaguar also struck three other vehicles, authorities said.
Troopers said evidence at the scene showed that Sanders fired in the direction of the Caravan.
Sanders was initially taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash.
He was booked into the Miami-Dade County Pre-Trial Detention Center Sunday on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and improper exhibition of a firearm.
As of Tuesday, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond is listed as “to be set.”