Video footage showing a garbage truck flying off an Interstate 95 ramp in Miami and falling nearly 100 feet to the ground was released by the Florida Highway Patrol Monday.
The dashcam video shows driver Kaseem Smith behind the wheel of the truck before it crashes through a guardrail and tumbles to the ground below back on Feb. 15.
FHP officials said Smith appeared to be looking to his right when he hit an inside wall twice. He then over corrects and drives off the ramp, officials said.
"He basically focused on something else, so he is driving carelessly. He collides twice with the wall and that's when he overreacts," FHP spokesman Joe Sanchez said.
The incident happened near Southwest 7th Street, with the truck landing in a parking lot at Jose Marti Park. The truck landed right side up, but Smith was thrown from the cab.
Smith was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital and later released. Witnesses and family members said it was a miracle he survived.
"I've never seen an accident like this where someone has survived it. So on that day, God gave him an opportunity for a second life," Sanchez said. "From the video in and of itself one has to look at is, how did he survive this, because this is short of a miracle
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Smith was cited for careless driving and not having his seatbelt on.
"We are very happy that Mr. Kaseem Smith has been released from the hospital and that he survived this crash which the video shows is nothing short of a miracle. The recording is proof that this technology works and can provide answers about driving events that would otherwise be difficult to assess," Miami City Manager Daniel Alfonso said in a statement. "The video shows Mr. Smith was not texting or using his phone and no other vehicle appears to be involved. We are still reviewing this case with Risk Management and Law Departments regarding what steps to follow next."
