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Michael “Mikey” Arana Arrested in Miami-Dade, Florida DUI Crash That Injured Two Cops

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Michael-“Mikey”-Arana-241x300Michael Arana, a bodyguard for pop star Justin Bieber, was arrested in Miami on November 30 for allegedly causing a car crash while under the influence of alcohol that injured two Miami-Dade police officers.

Arana, 32, faces multiple charges, including leaving the scene of an accident, DUI causing property damage or injury, and driving under the influence. He bonded out of jail on Thursday afternoon. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to the arrest report, the alleged crash happened at around 2:30 a.m on Thursday in West Kendall. Arana was reportedly westbound on Kendall Drive when he crashed into a police vehicle near SW 152nd Avenue. Arana did not stop after the crash. He sped away and was stopped by police at 157th Avenue.

Two police officers were injured and had to be taken to a hospital for treatment. They have since been discharged to recover at home, the Miami-Dade Police Department said on Twitter.

“Thankfully, both of our officers involved in the crash earlier this morning have been discharged from the hospital and continue to recover at home. The driver of the vehicle that struck them has been arrested,” the department tweeted.

After he was stopped by police, Arana admitted that he had been drinking, the arrest report said. The officers found receipts in his pockets that indicated he closed his bar tab after midnight. He also reportedly told them that he was a reserve police officer in California.

Arana has reportedly worked as Bieber’s bodyguard for several years. According to TMZ, he has been arrested twice before for disorderly conduct in 2007 and 2013. The charges were eventually dismissed in both cases.

This was the second police crash reported in that week. On November 29, a Miami-Dade police cruiser was hit in North Miami and a woman had to be rescued from her burning vehicle.

According to news sources, an officer in a marked cruiser had stopped at a red light near NE 135th Street when an unidentified woman driving a Dodge Charger crashed into the back of his vehicle. The officer suffered minor injuries to his neck and shoulders but was able to get out of his car. He reportedly helped rescue crews save the driver of the Dodge after her vehicle caught fire.

Both drivers were taken to the hospital. The woman, whose identity has not been made public, suffered severe injuries. It is unclear if she lost control of her vehicle or if she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she crashed into the police car.

The fiery crash blocked off Biscayne Boulevard and NE 145th Street through the morning rush hour. The road was reopened six hours later.

Source: 11.10.17 Justin Bieber’s bodyguard arrested in Miami-Dade crash that injured 2 cops.pdf

Michael “Mikey” Arana Arrested in Miami-Dade, Florida DUI Crash That Injured Two Cops

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Michael-“Mikey”-Arana-241x300Michael Arana, a bodyguard for pop star Justin Bieber, was arrested in Miami on November 30 for allegedly causing a car crash while under the influence of alcohol that injured two Miami-Dade police officers.

Arana, 32, faces multiple charges, including leaving the scene of an accident, DUI causing property damage or injury, and driving under the influence. He bonded out of jail on Thursday afternoon. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to the arrest report, the alleged crash happened at around 2:30 a.m on Thursday in West Kendall. Arana was reportedly westbound on Kendall Drive when he crashed into a police vehicle near SW 152nd Avenue. Arana did not stop after the crash. He sped away and was stopped by police at 157th Avenue.

Two police officers were injured and had to be taken to a hospital for treatment. They have since been discharged to recover at home, the Miami-Dade Police Department said on Twitter.

“Thankfully, both of our officers involved in the crash earlier this morning have been discharged from the hospital and continue to recover at home. The driver of the vehicle that struck them has been arrested,” the department tweeted.

After he was stopped by police, Arana admitted that he had been drinking, the arrest report said. The officers found receipts in his pockets that indicated he closed his bar tab after midnight. He also reportedly told them that he was a reserve police officer in California.

Arana has reportedly worked as Bieber’s bodyguard for several years. According to TMZ, he has been arrested twice before for disorderly conduct in 2007 and 2013. The charges were eventually dismissed in both cases.

This was the second police crash reported in that week. On November 29, a Miami-Dade police cruiser was hit in North Miami and a woman had to be rescued from her burning vehicle.

According to news sources, an officer in a marked cruiser had stopped at a red light near NE 135th Street when an unidentified woman driving a Dodge Charger crashed into the back of his vehicle. The officer suffered minor injuries to his neck and shoulders but was able to get out of his car. He reportedly helped rescue crews save the driver of the Dodge after her vehicle caught fire.

Both drivers were taken to the hospital. The woman, whose identity has not been made public, suffered severe injuries. It is unclear if she lost control of her vehicle or if she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she crashed into the police car.

The fiery crash blocked off Biscayne Boulevard and NE 145th Street through the morning rush hour. The road was reopened six hours later.

Source: 11.10.17 Justin Bieber’s bodyguard arrested in Miami-Dade crash that injured 2 cops.pdf

Oliver Reyes of Miami Beach, Florida Faces DUI Charges After Striking Cyclist

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Oliver-Reyes-263x300Oliver Antonio Reyes of Miami Beach, Florida was arrested on November 17 after he allegedly struck a cyclist on Dade Boulevard while under the influence of alcohol. The cyclist was seriously injured but is expected to survive.

Reyes is being charged with driving under the influence, DUI causing serious bodily injury, and DUI causing property damage. The press did not name an attorney for him.

According to the arrest report, the alleged DUI crash occurred on Dade Boulevard between Bay Road and Alton Road during the early hours of November 17. Reyes was reportedly driving a Pontiac west on Dade Boulevard when he struck a cyclist identified as Carlos Garcia. Garcia suffered severe head injuries and was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he remains in serious condition. Reyes was not injured.

“At approximately 8 this morning, we received a 911 call indicating that a cyclist had been struck by a vehicle,” Miami Beach Police Officer Ernesto Rodriguez told the press. “Upon officers’ arrival and the Miami Beach Fire Department, the victim was transported by the fire department to Jackson Ryder Trauma in serious condition but is expected to survive.”

Reyes reportedly stopped to help Garcia while a witness called paramedics. He remained at the scene of the crash and cooperated with police. Sources say he was seen stumbling during a sobriety test and seemed to be drunk with bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, a flushed face, and the smell of alcohol on his breath. His blood-alcohol content was three times over the legal limit, the report said.

“At this point, Miami Beach accident investigators are on scene, not only investigating the crash but this is also a DUI investigation,” said Rodriguez.

The penalties for driving under the influence in Florida are harsh because of all the deaths, particular of youth, that have been caused by drunk drivers. The state legislature requires law enforcement to have a zero tolerance standard for drunk driving, and as a consequence, Florida prosecutes a large amount of DUI cases every year.

As a minimum requirement, a DUI conviction in Florida may carry a sentence that includes classes on drunk driving, community service, driver’s license suspension, probation, court costs, fines, and restitution when appropriate.

Jail time generally depends on the type of DUI case. For example, first-time DUI offenders who haven’t caused injuries or death are often charged with a misdemeanor, which can carry a sentence of up to 180 days in jail, fines, and/or driver’s license suspension. In most cases, first-time DUI offenders usually only receive probation and other demanding conditions like community service, DUI school, and driver’s license suspension, among other things—but no prison time.

Source: 11.17.17 Cyclist hospitalized after crash in Miami Beach; driver charged with DUI.pdf

Nicholas Castelao of Hialeah, Florida Arrested for DUI Manslaughter

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Nicholas-Castelao-240x300Nicholas Castelao of Hialeah, Florida is accused of crashing a stolen vehicle into and killing Lyft driver Robert Torra while under the influence of crystal meth and cocaine, Miami prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Castelao, 35, is being charged with DUI manslaughter. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to the arrest report, the alleged crash occurred on March 26 at the intersection of SW 17th Street and SW 25th Avenue in Little Havana. Torra was driving a Volkswagen Jetta with four passengers aboard when Castelao, who was reportedly driving a stolen BMW, crashed into him. Torra died at the scene. His passengers suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Their identities have not been disclosed.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragic accident,” Lyft said in a statement to the press. “We have been in contact with Robert’s family during this unimaginably difficult time, and are available to support law enforcement in their investigation.”

Castelao was also taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital with a broken leg. He allegedly told a nurse that he was high on meth. Medical personnel searched his pockets for his ID and reportedly found three bags of what is believed to be crystal meth.

Police also found a drug pipe outside Castelao’s BMW. Tests of his urine and blood later revealed that he was under the influence of meth and cocaine. DUI cases involving a driver high on crystal meth are extremely rare in Miami. Alcohol and other drugs are the common culprits in South Florida.

“It’s the only time I’ve ever seen a DUI case where the influence is meth,” Sally Matson, a victim advocate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, told The Miami Herald. “It’s just not something you see in Miami.”

Castelao was initially arrested on a grand theft charge for stealing the BMW and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute for the three bags of meth allegedly found in his pockets, but DUI manslaughter has now been added to his charges.

Ebony-Smith-228x300Another DUI case was reported in Jupiter last Friday. Ebony Smith is accused of driving in the wrong direction while under the influence of alcohol and attempting to escape from a police officer. Smith, 38, is being charged with DUI and obstructing an officer without violence. She is being held at Palm Beach County Jail on $6,000 bond. News sources did not name an attorney for her.

According to the arrest report, Smith drove in the wrong direction on Alternate State A1A near Trump National Golf Club. The officers who stopped Smith said she smelled of alcohol and placed her under arrest.

Smith was taken to jail where she complained about having “numb feet and hands.” She was transported to a hospital on the recommendation of nurses at the jail. At the hospital, Smith reportedly attempted to run away and knocked over an elderly patient. She was tackled by police and taken back to jail.

Sources: 8.1.17 Castelao of Hialeah, Florida Arrested for DUI Manslaughter.pdf & 8.1.17 Smith Arrested in Jupiter on DUI charges.pdf

 

Nicholas Castelao of Hialeah, Florida Arrested for DUI Manslaughter

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Nicholas-Castelao-240x300Nicholas Castelao of Hialeah, Florida is accused of crashing a stolen vehicle into and killing Lyft driver Robert Torra while under the influence of crystal meth and cocaine, Miami prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Castelao, 35, is being charged with DUI manslaughter. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to the arrest report, the alleged crash occurred on March 26 at the intersection of SW 17th Street and SW 25th Avenue in Little Havana. Torra was driving a Volkswagen Jetta with four passengers aboard when Castelao, who was reportedly driving a stolen BMW, crashed into him. Torra died at the scene. His passengers suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Their identities have not been disclosed.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragic accident,” Lyft said in a statement to the press. “We have been in contact with Robert’s family during this unimaginably difficult time, and are available to support law enforcement in their investigation.”

Castelao was also taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital with a broken leg. He allegedly told a nurse that he was high on meth. Medical personnel searched his pockets for his ID and reportedly found three bags of what is believed to be crystal meth.

Police also found a drug pipe outside Castelao’s BMW. Tests of his urine and blood later revealed that he was under the influence of meth and cocaine. DUI cases involving a driver high on crystal meth are extremely rare in Miami. Alcohol and other drugs are the common culprits in South Florida.

“It’s the only time I’ve ever seen a DUI case where the influence is meth,” Sally Matson, a victim advocate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, told The Miami Herald. “It’s just not something you see in Miami.”

Castelao was initially arrested on a grand theft charge for stealing the BMW and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute for the three bags of meth allegedly found in his pockets, but DUI manslaughter has now been added to his charges.

Ebony-Smith-228x300Another DUI case was reported in Jupiter last Friday. Ebony Smith is accused of driving in the wrong direction while under the influence of alcohol and attempting to escape from a police officer. Smith, 38, is being charged with DUI and obstructing an officer without violence. She is being held at Palm Beach County Jail on $6,000 bond. News sources did not name an attorney for her.

According to the arrest report, Smith drove in the wrong direction on Alternate State A1A near Trump National Golf Club. The officers who stopped Smith said she smelled of alcohol and placed her under arrest.

Smith was taken to jail where she complained about having “numb feet and hands.” She was transported to a hospital on the recommendation of nurses at the jail. At the hospital, Smith reportedly attempted to run away and knocked over an elderly patient. She was tackled by police and taken back to jail.

Sources: 8.1.17 Castelao of Hialeah, Florida Arrested for DUI Manslaughter.pdf & 8.1.17 Smith Arrested in Jupiter on DUI charges.pdf

 

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