‘I drank too much’: Florida officer pulled gun on coworker after on-duty DUI crash, police say

Rachel Tucker
·2 min read

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — An on-duty Miami-Dade police officer found himself on the other side of the jail bars after crashing into a patrol car on Tuesday.

According to an arrest report obtained by NBC affiliate WTVJ, Victor Montalvo, 43, was driving an unmarked SUV when he rear-ended a parked, marked police car with its lights on.

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The officer whose vehicle was struck exited the vehicle to check on a nearby work crew. According to police, Montalvo “unsteadily” got out of the SUV and drew his service weapon, described as a “semi-automatic firearm.”

Montalvo then took “what appeared to be a low-ready, prone, tactical-type position with what appeared to be a dazed or confused look on his face,” according to the report. He dropped the pistol after the other officer drew his gun.

After Montalvo was detained, he told officers “I drank too much,” the report stated. Officers reported he showed signs of intoxication, like slurred speech and watery eyes, and “appeared to be confused about what happened and where he was.”

Montalvo was arrested after allegedly refusing to perform field sobriety tests. He was charged with driving under the influence and DUI with damage to property or person.

Miami-Dade Police Chief Stephanie V. Daniels provided the following statement to WTVJ:

“As Chief of Police, I am disheartened by the recent incident involving one of my officers who was arrested for driving under the influence while on duty. My officers are subject to the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty, and this individual’s actions do not reflect the core values ​​of our department.”

Miami-Dade Police Chief Stephanie V. Daniels

Montalvo was relieved of duty after his arrest, Daniels said. He bonded out of jail on Wednesday.

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