Teen Driver Who Killed FHP Officer Not Drunk
Teen had no alcohol or drugs in his blood when he rammed into Trooper Patrick Ambroise
Florida Highway Patrol
Patrick Ambroise
The teen who crashed into the back of a Florida Highway Patrol vehicle, killing the trooper inside, was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to initial blood test results released today.
Trooper Patrick Ambroise died when his parked Ford Crown Victoria was engulfed in flames after being hit from behind by Jonathan Garcia's Lexus on Saturday. Gracia, 19, is still in the hospital with serious injuries but has not been charged in the accident.
Ambroise was parked on the right shoulder of the northbound lanes of the Turnpike in western Miami-Dade County when investigators say a second vehicle veered onto the shoulder and struck his car.
Police are still investigating the incident, but much of the blame has been directed at the Crown Vic and not Garcia. None of the car's safety precautions that should have stopped the flames from reaching Ambroise appeared to work, which has critics and law enforcement officials once again questioning the use of the Crown Victoria.
Ambroise's funeral has been scheduled for Sunday at the Miami Beach Convention Center at 11 a.m. A public wake will be held Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at tabernacle Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 8017 N.E. 2nd Ave.
Ambroise leaves behind a wife, Roberta, and three-month-old and five-year-old daughters.
