Critically Injured Florida Trooper Makes 'Miraculous Recovery'

Miami, FL. — It's been nearly two years since Trooper Carlos J. Rosario-Flores' story touched Miami's heartstrings and brought home the danger that police officers face every day. Now, it's time to celebrate.

"Almost two years later, Trooper Rosario has made a full recovery and is ready to once again serve as a Florida state trooper," declared Lt. Alex Camacho of the Florida Highway Patrol on Monday.

Subscribe to Miami Patch's free email news alerts and newsletters

South Florida first responders plan to celebrate what Camacho described as Rosario-Flores'"miraculous recovery" during a ceremony Wednesday that will likely include many of the friends and colleagues who filled an entire section of bleachers at an all-star basketball game in which the injured officer's son was one of the players and his other son was an assistant coach.

That was back in 2017 shortly after the St. Patrick's Day crash that nearly took Rosario-Flores from his family and the people of Florida he swore to protect.

The trooper was operating a speed gun on St. Patrick's Day when he was nearly killed by a driver who was allegedly texting behind the wheel during the morning commute along the Dolphin Expressway near NW 107 Avenue.

The trooper was standing outside of his patrol car in the westbound lanes at the time of the crash.

"While motioning to a speeding motorist, a second vehicle lost control and struck several of the patrol cars prior to striking Trooper Rosario-Flores," according to a GoFundMe page set up to help the trooper's family.

The GoFundMe raised $77,793 from 861 separate donations, including a generous $12,000 gift from Miami Marlins superfan Laurence Leavy, who is better known by his moniker Marlins Man.

Rosario-Flores is assigned to FHP Troom E in Miami.

Trooper Carlos Rosario-Flores is flanked by Marlins Man (right) and WINZ's Andy Slater during his difficult recovery. Photo courtesy Florida Highway Patrol.