Homestead cop gets probation for charges linked to DUI hit-and-run crash
A Homestead police officer was sentenced to probation after he pleaded guilty on Friday morning to charges stemming from a hit-and-run crash that injured two women in south Miami-Dade.
Henry Quintero, 44, pleaded guilty to DUI, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident, which are all misdemeanors. In exchange for Quintero’s plea, prosecutors dropped a felony charge: leaving the scene with no serious injury.
Quintero was ordered to complete two years of probation. Aside from attending several classes and programs, Quintero must also serve 100 hours of community service and pay $15,000 in restitution as well as a $1,000 fine.
As a result of the plea agreement, Quintero’s license will be suspended for a year, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson said. The cop, who was fingerprinted after taking the deal, had a stern expression throughout the brief hearing.
The crash occurred on Sept. 2, 2025, when Quintero sped down West Palm Drive in Florida City, according to his arrest report. His vehicle slammed into another car, causing it to flip over and injure the two women inside.
Quintero, however, fled the scene. A witness who saw the crash tailed Quintero until he stopped — and then contacted police, according to the report.
When officers encountered Quintero, they smelled alcohol emanating from him, the report says. He also appeared to have bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Quintero refused sobriety testing at the scene.
Quintero told police the crash was not his fault, and that he was cut off. He also said he left because he “had somewhere to go,” according to the report.
When Quintero was taken to Jackson West Medical Center, he refused treatment and blood testing, the report says.
Quintero remains relieved of duty without pay, the Homestead Police Department confirmed Friday afternoon. In a statement, the department said it’s still completing an “administrative review.”
“As part of that process, HPD is awaiting the final report and supporting documentation from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in order to conduct a thorough and independent evaluation of the incident and determine what administrative action is appropriate under department policy and applicable employment regulations,” the department said in a statement.
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 12:07 PM.
