Two Miami Beach Police officers have been fired after an investigation into an ATV crash at the Clevelander Hotel over the weekend, officials said Tuesday.
Officers Derick Kuilan and Rolando Gutierrez were fired because of "conduct unbecoming an officer" and for actions amounting to "dereliction of duties," Miami Beach Police Department said in a statement.
Kuilan, who was on duty, was driving his ATV and had an unauthorized passenger, Adelee Sharie Martin, on board, police said. At around 5 a.m., the two crashed the speeding ATV into two other people who were on the beach, police said.
Kitzie Nicanor, 28, from Seattle, Wash., and Luis Almonte, 29, from North Miami, were also injured, police said. Both were listed in stable condition.
Investigators are trying to determine if alcohol was involved, but Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower said she was told Kuilan had been drinking prior to the accident.
Kuilan and Gutierrez were both tested for their blood-alcohol levels, but no results have been released.
A witness to the crash also said Kuilan fled the scene, but cops would not confirm if Kuilan ran away from the accident.
Gutierrez was also at the hotel, but was not involved in the accident. He violated police policies, officials said.
“I am disappointed and share the community’s outrage about these incidents involving two of our Officers," Police Chief Carlos E. Noriega said in a statement. "I will not tolerate any behavior which compromises the public’s trust or Department’s image.”
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Kuilan, who has been with the department since 2005, could face criminal charges pending a Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office investigation.
