FHP Director "Heartbroken" Over Crash That Killed Miami Teen

KENDALL, FL — Florida Highway Patrol Director Col. Gene Spaulding said his agency was "heartbroken" over the death of a Miami teen who was struck by one of his trooper's patrol cars as he tried to make his way across a busy street over the weekend. Angel Lopez was riding his Huffy bicycle on Friday night when he was struck by the trooper's Dodge Charger. The crash occurred shortly after 9 p.m. at State Road 990 and SW 109 Court.

"Florida Highway Patrol is absolutely heartbroken over the tragic loss of Angel Lopez," Spaulding said in a statement released late Tuesday afternoon. "The Patrol understands the tremendous effect traffic crashes have and my prayers are with everyone impacted."

Spaulding pledged to conduct a "thorough, transparent and complete investigation" of the incident "as quickly as possible" though it was not clear whether FHP or another agency would conduct the investigation.

The trooper was driving west on State Road 990 when the patrol car struck Lopez as he was attempting to cross the westbound lanes of State Road 990, according to the FHP report.

Lopez, who was 17, was thrown from his bicycle and pronounced dead at the scene by first responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

News reports said he was in the ROTC program at Miami Killian Senior High School.

Photo courtesy Florida Highway Patrol