Police: DUI driver travels more than double the speed limit before causing Pembroke Pines crash

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — A 29-year-old man was arrested Sunday, months after he caused a car crash in Pembroke Pines that seriously injured himself and another driver, authorities said.

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According to an arrest report from the Pembroke Pines Police Department, the crash, which involved two vehicles, occurred at about 7:45 p.m. on Jan. 23 in the 8300 block of Pembroke Road.

Police said Ryan Erick James, of Pembroke Pines, was driving a blue 2018 Hyundai Sonata when he struck a raised curb, lost control of his car, causing it to rotate, and then struck the passenger side of a red 2016 Honda Civic.

Police said James’ car then rolled several times before coming to a rest upside down.

According to the report, James was not wearing a seatbelt, and the driver of the Civic was.

Police said the airbags deployed in the Civic and its driver was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital with serious injuries, including a multiple area brain bleed, swelling and a facial fracture near the right eye.

James, who was in and out of consciousness when he was pulled from his car by first responders, was hospitalized with injuries that included a rib and lower back fracture, the report stated.

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According to the report, blood was drawn from James at the hospital, which showed he had blood-alcohol levels of 0.141 percent and 0.185 percent.

The investigation revealed he was driving 93 mph just 5 seconds before the crash and 60 mph at the moment of impact, while the victim was driving 5 mph five seconds before impact and 0 mph at the time of impact, the report stated. The posted speed limit in that area is 45 mph, authorities confirmed.

According to the report, James was involved in a hit-and-run in Miramar and Pembroke Pines prior to the crash.

He now faces charges of DUI causing serious bodily injury to another, DUI causing damage to property/person, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage to property, and unattended vehicle at the scene of an accident without leaving identification.

As of Monday afternoon, James was being held at the Broward County Main Jail on a $44,300 bond.

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