By Jorge Milian
The Palm Beach Post
PAML BEACH, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol released dramatic video of a trooper being hit and seriously injured by a passing car during an October traffic stop on Florida’s Turnpike just north of PGA Boulevard.
Mac Mickens, 60, sustained a broken pelvis and continues to recover from his injuries, FHP spokesman Sgt. Mark Wysocky said.
Mickens was hit Oct. 18 by a 2014 Toyota RAV4 driven by Rubelsy Cano-Castillo, of Jupiter, after the officer pulled over a 2014 Chevy Sonic for a traffic violation.
For an unknown reason, Cano-Castillo’s vehicle veered off the roadway onto the outside emergency/breakdown lane and struck Mickens as he was attempting to get back into his car. The video shows Mickens being thrown through the air and landing in front of his patrol car after he was struck.
Despite his injuries, Mickens can be seen getting to his knees and informing FHP dispatch that he had been struck.
After striking Mickens, Cano-Castillo’s vehicle crashed into the rear of the Chevy Sonic that was pulled over for a traffic violation.
The occupants of the Chevy Sonic — Yonisley Lago-Diaz, 31, of Miami, and his passenger, Jordan Insua, 21, of Hialeah — both sustained minor injuries.
The video appears to show Cano-Castillo exiting his vehicle a few moments after the crash and talking on a cell phone while Mickens is injured on the ground.
Cano-Castillo, 24, was arrested Nov. 20 and is facing charges of DUI causing serious bodily injury and driving without a valid driver’s license. Cano-Castillo was released from the Palm Beach County Jail Nov. 30 after posting a $3,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty to both charges, although a trial date has not been set.
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