Driver accused of hitting, pushing Miami-Dade firefighter while trying to bypass crash scene

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A driver is accused of intentionally striking an on-duty Miami-Dade firefighter last week with his car and then pushing him several times while attempting to bypass a restricted crash scene, according to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

Read more 3 teenage girls struck by car in Miramar, police say

The report states that Younes Bekkali, 38, who is originally from Morocco, but is currently living in Miami, was arrested Saturday, two days after the alleged confrontation.

According to the report, deputies responded to the Palmetto Expressway near Northwest 74th Avenue at about 5:37 a.m. Thursday following a multi-vehicle crash.

When deputies arrived, they spoke with an on-duty firefighter who was wearing his full uniform.

The firefighter told investigators he was directing traffic when he saw a purple Dodge Challenger attempting to bypass the restricted crash scene. According to the report, the vehicle was registered to Bekkali.

The firefighter repositioned an MDFR engine to block traffic and protect personnel working at the scene before getting out of the truck and using hand signals to instruct Bekkali to take an alternate route, the report states.

Investigators said Bekkali disregarded those instructions and instead accelerated the Challenger, striking the firefighter in the legs and knocking him back several feet.

Read more Driver arrested after woman falls from trunk of speeding vehicle in Miami-Dade, deputies say

Investigators said Bekkali then got out of the car and pushed the firefighter multiple times in the chest before getting back into the vehicle and fleeing northbound on the Palmetto Expressway from Northwest 74th Avenue.

According to the report, Bekkali was located and arrested Saturday before being taken to the MDSO Midwest District station.

After being read his Miranda rights, Bekkali provided what investigators described as a “self-serving statement” and denied being involved in the incident, authorities said.

He was then transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he was booked on charges of aggravated battery on a firefighter with a deadly weapon, battery on a firefighter and failure to obey a firefighter.

As of Tuesday morning, Bekkali was being held at the Metrowest Detention Center without bond.

Read more Hurricane Polo grows into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific off Mexico