Miami-Dade firefighter arrested after senior accuses him of pushing him in parking dispute

A Miami-Dade firefighter is facing a felony charge after being accused of pushing a 70-year-old man to the ground during a parking dispute in a Kendall neighborhood, deputies say.

Around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to the Deerwood community around Southwest 125th Place and Southwest 147th Terrace after receiving reports that two men were pushing an elderly man, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. When they arrived, they found 70-year-old Fernando Cardenas on the ground and Fernando Herrera, the off-duty firefighter, along with another man, Lucas Cardoso, sitting nearby.

Herrera told deputies he had parked in an undesignated spot before going fishing with Cardoso. When they returned, they found a vehicle blocking their exit. Cardenas, who lives in the neighborhood, confronted them about parking in the area and suggested they use the guest parking in the future.

Investigators say Herrera got out of his vehicle, walked around to where Cardenas was standing, and pushed him, causing him to fall and suffer minor injuries.

Herrera made a statement to deputies that was redacted in his arrest affidavit.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said in a statement to the Miami Herald that Herrera has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

“While the incident occurred off duty, we expect our employees to uphold the highest standards of conduct and responsibility,” MDFR said.

Herrera was arrested Wednesday and charged with battery on an elderly person older than 65.

This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 10:06 AM.