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Miami Beach, FL - A Miami Beach Police officer died Tuesday morning following a motorcycle crash in northwest Miami-Dade County.
According to officials, the collision occurred around 11:30 a.m. near the Gratigny Parkway and the Interstate 75 Extension, close to the Palmetto Expressway.
Authorities identified the officer as 33-year-old David Cajuso, a 10-year veteran of the Miami Beach Police Department.
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He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition and later died from his injuries, police said.
Cajuso previously served with the Hollywood Police Department and came from a family of first responders.
His father worked as a firefighter with Miami Beach Fire Rescue. Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones confirmed that Cajuso leaves behind a wife and three children, ages two, three, and five.
Helicopter footage from the scene showed several emergency vehicles and officers in a grassy area off the roadway, where the police motorcycle was seen lying on its side. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue airlifted Cajuso to the hospital following the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the investigation and stated that no other vehicles were involved.
Officials have not yet released details about what caused the crash.
Hundreds of officers from across South Florida reportedly gathered at the hospital to honor Cajuso and support his family.
Chief Jones described the loss as a devastating moment for the department and asked the public to keep Cajuso’s family in their thoughts as the investigation continues.