Story developing as of May 29, 2026. Last updated: May 29, 2026.
A former Homestead police officer accused in a 2025 DUI hit-and-run pleaded guilty in a Miami-Dade courtroom on Friday. According to WSVN 7News, Henry Quintero appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson on May 29, 2026, and pleaded guilty to several misdemeanor charges. In exchange, the most serious count, a felony, was dismissed. He was sentenced to probation and fines, with no jail time reported. Two people were injured in the underlying crash. In the event of a hit and run accident, an experienced car accident lawyer in Miami at the Perazzo Law Firm can help accident victims by providing professional legal guidance.
What Happened in Court Friday
Per WSVN 7News, Quintero pleaded guilty to two counts of DUI with damage to property or person, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. All of those are misdemeanor charges.
As part of the plea agreement, the original felony charge, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, was dismissed. The reported sentence is probation plus fines.
Quintero, who was relieved of duty after his arrest, was described by his defense attorney, Mark Lefcourt, as a military veteran and a “20-year decorated police officer.” Lefcourt characterized the incident as “one bad day,” according to WSVN.
A Recap of the 2025 Crash
The case stems from a crash on September 2, 2025. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Quintero was driving near East Palm Drive and U.S. 1 in Homestead when he ran a red light and struck another vehicle. That collision caused the second car to flip and hit a third vehicle, leaving three cars involved.
Witnesses told authorities that Quintero briefly stopped, then made a U-turn into oncoming traffic and drove off without helping the people he had hit, according to WSVN. Traffic cameras reportedly captured both the crash and the driver fleeing eastbound on East Palm Drive before stopping near an apartment complex entrance.
Two people were injured but are reported to be OK. When deputies caught up with the driver, they reported smelling alcohol on his breath, and he refused a sobriety test, per the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
The Part Most People Miss: Criminal Case vs. Civil Claim
Here is something that surprises many injured people in Florida: the criminal case that just wrapped up does not put a single dollar in a victim’s pocket.
A criminal case is the state versus the defendant. When prosecutors bring charges like DUI or leaving the scene, the goal is to hold the driver accountable to the public — through penalties such as probation, fines, license consequences, or jail. Those fines go to the court system, not to the people who were hurt.
A civil personal injury claim is entirely separate. It is the injured person versus the at-fault driver (and often that driver’s insurance company). The goal of a civil claim is compensation — money for things like medical bills, lost wages, future treatment, and pain and suffering.
These two tracks run on different rules, different standards of proof, and different timelines. That leads to a few important takeaways for anyone hurt in a crash like this one.
A Guilty Plea or a Dismissal Does Not Decide Your Right to Compensation
A driver can plead guilty, have a felony dropped to a misdemeanor, or even be found not guilty in criminal court — and an injured person may still have the right to pursue a civil claim for their injuries. The criminal outcome is one piece of the picture; it does not, by itself, control whether you can recover damages.
DUI and Hit-and-Run Crashes Raise Specific Issues in Florida
If you are injured by a driver who was allegedly impaired or who fled the scene, a few Florida-specific issues often come into play:
- PIP / no-fault coverage. Florida is a no-fault state. Most drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which can cover a portion of medical expenses and lost wages after a crash, regardless of who was at fault, up to policy limits.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. When a driver flees or carries too little insurance to cover serious harm, a victim’s own UM/UIM coverage can sometimes step in. This coverage is one of the most overlooked protections after a hit-and-run.
- Potential punitive damages in DUI cases. Florida law allows victims to seek punitive damages in certain cases involving drunk driving. These are different from compensation for losses — they are meant to punish especially reckless conduct — and they are subject to specific legal standards and limits.
Every situation is different, and which of these applies depends on the facts and the insurance policies involved. This is general information, not a prediction about any specific case.
Why Acting Early Matters
Injury claims in Florida are governed by deadlines, and evidence can disappear quickly. Traffic camera footage, witness statements, vehicle data, and medical records are often most useful when preserved early. Even injuries that seem minor at first — the kind where everyone is “OK” at the scene — can develop into something more serious in the days and weeks that follow.
If you were hurt in a crash involving a suspected impaired or fleeing driver, it is worth understanding your options before insurance deadlines and legal time limits start working against you.
Talk to a Miami Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk driver or a driver who left the scene in Miami-Dade or the surrounding area, The Perazzo Law Firm offers a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your rights. There is no fee unless we recover for you.
Call 888-PERAZZO or reach out through our contact page to speak with our team. We are available 24/7, and our staff is bilingual (English / Espanol).
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Facts about the crash and court proceedings are attributed to WSVN 7News (reporters Samantha Sosa and Ruben Rosario, May 29, 2026) and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. The Perazzo Law Firm does not represent any party in this case. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter. This is attorney advertising.
Source: WSVN 7News, “Former Homestead Police officer gets probation after taking plea deal for 2025 DUI hit-and-run that injured 2,” by Samantha Sosa and Ruben Rosario, May 29, 2026. (Exact article URL to be confirmed before publish.)
Quick Answer
A driver’s guilty plea to DUI or hit-and-run is a criminal outcome that penalizes the driver — through probation, fines, or jail, and does not pay the people they injured. In Florida, an injured person generally pursues compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a separate civil personal injury claim, which follows its own rules and deadlines. The criminal result does not, by itself, decide that civil right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a driver’s criminal DUI plea mean for the people they injured?
Generally, it means the driver was held accountable to the state, not to the victims. A criminal case is the government versus the defendant, and any fines paid go to the court system rather than to injured people. To recover money for their injuries, victims in Florida typically must bring a separate civil claim against the at-fault driver and the relevant insurance coverage. The criminal and civil tracks use different rules, standards of proof, and timelines.
Can I still sue if the driver’s charges were reduced or dropped?
Often, yes. A felony being reduced to a misdemeanor, a charge being dismissed, or even an acquittal in criminal court does not automatically end a person’s right to pursue a civil injury claim. Criminal court and civil court apply different standards of proof, so a different outcome in each is possible. Whether a particular claim can proceed depends on the facts, the injuries, and the available insurance.
Does a guilty plea help my injury claim?
It can, but it is not the whole picture. A guilty plea may serve as evidence relevant to fault in a related civil case, depending on how and where it is used. It does not, by itself, establish the amount of compensation or guarantee any recovery. The strength of a civil claim generally turns on liability, the extent of the injuries, and the insurance coverage in play.
What is PIP / no-fault coverage in Florida?
Florida is a no-fault state, and most drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP can cover a portion of medical expenses and lost wages after a crash regardless of who was at fault, up to the policy limits. When injuries are serious, a victim may be able to step outside the no-fault system and pursue an at-fault driver directly, depending on the facts. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can also matter, especially when a driver flees or carries too little insurance.
Can a victim seek punitive damages in a DUI crash?
Florida law allows victims to seek punitive damages in certain cases involving intoxicated drivers. Unlike compensation for losses, punitive damages are meant to punish especially reckless conduct, and they are subject to specific legal standards and statutory limits. Whether they are available in any given case depends on the evidence and the court’s application of those standards. This is general information, not a prediction about any specific case.
How long do I have to file an injury claim in Florida?
Florida sets deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for filing injury lawsuits, and missing them can bar a claim entirely. For most negligence-based injury claims, Florida generally allows a limited window measured in years from the date of the crash. Because the exact deadline depends on the type of claim and the facts, and because evidence such as camera footage and witness statements can disappear quickly, acting early generally preserves the most options.