COOPER CITY, Fla. – One car overturned and erupted in flames, the other was left badly damaged Sunday after a collision at the intersection of Griffin Road and Southwest 118th Avenue in Cooper City.
Miami-Dade Police Captain Tyrone White was killed in the crash. His wife, Lisa, was also in the car. On Monday, she remained hospitalized in critical condition.
White is the father of New England Patriots running back and Fort Lauderdale native James White who learned of the tragic accident 90 minutes before Sunday’s road game against the Seattle Seahawks. He was listed by the Patriots as inactive for the game due to personal reasons.
On Tuesday, he celebrated his son’s first birthday while honoring his father.
According to Broward County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the crash happened around 1 p.m. in the 11800 block of Griffin Road.
Authorities said one driver, Daniel Chamblin, 32, of Cooper City, was heading east on Griffin Road in a white 2018 Subaru WRX, approaching Southwest 118th Avenue.
Deputies said Lisa White was driving a gray 2014 Volkswagen Passat west on Griffin road.
She made a left turn onto Southwest 118th Avenue when Chamblin’s vehicle struck the passenger side of White’s car, authorities said.
Deputies said Chamblin’s Subaru was redirected and struck a traffic control box before coming to a complete stop in the grass swale.
White’s car “slid sideways, struck the curb and rolled over onto its side, before coming to rest on its roof on the sidewalk,” a BSO news release stated.
Deputies said some witnesses helped extract Chamblin from his vehicle as the engine compartment caught on fire, while other witnesses tended to the White’s, who were trapped in their car.
Authorities said Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue crews had to extract the couple from their car.
Lisa White was airlifted to Memorial Regional Hospital, and Chamblin was taken to the hospital by ground for non-life-threatening injuries.
Tyrone White was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not said which driver was at fault.
Miami-Dade Police Department director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez sent his condolences on Twitter Sunday.
I’m extremely saddened after learning of the passing of MDPD Captain Tyrone White earlier today as a result of an off-duty traffic crash in Broward County. I offered his family my deepest condolences on behalf of his MDPD family. May he rest in eternal peace. 1/2....
— Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III (@MDPD_Director) September 20, 2020
Condolences also poured in on social media from NFL players and former teammates, including quarterback Tom Brady.
So heartbroken to hear the news of the tragedy of my great friend and forever teammate @SweetFeet_White. There are few people that come into your life that do EVERYTHING the right way...
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) September 21, 2020
Devin McCourty honored teammate James White, who tragically lost his father in a car accident today. His mother is in critical condition. Sending love to the White family. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/FTTJFk477s
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2020