A woman was arrested on Friday after a series of crashes in Deerfield Beach involving a stolen car, followed by an alleged attempt to take a vehicle from a person who stopped to help, the Broward Sheriff's Office said.
Source: Miami Focal, reporting Broward Sheriff's Office
Deputies identified the woman as Roszetta Benjamin, 44. She faces charges of carjacking, kidnapping, grand theft and hit-and-run, according to the sheriff's office. The charges are allegations and have not been tested in court; Benjamin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Source: Miami Focal, reporting Broward Sheriff's Office
The sheriff's office said deputies received a report of a hit-and-run near Northeast 54th Street and Federal Highway at about 2:47 p.m. Benjamin was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle when it collided with three other cars. Occupants of those vehicles sustained minor injuries, deputies said.
Source: Miami Focal, reporting Broward Sheriff's Office
The driver continued on and was involved in a second crash at North Federal Highway and Hillsboro Boulevard, according to the sheriff's office. The stolen vehicle was disabled, and the driver of the other vehicle suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Source: Miami Focal, reporting Broward Sheriff's Office
During the incident, a Good Samaritan stopped to assist. Deputies said Benjamin allegedly tried to take that person's vehicle, the two struggled over it, and she then put the vehicle in drive, sped away and crashed into a gas station convenience store. Reporting by WPLG Local 10, NBC 6 South Florida and CBS Miami, cited by South Florida Media, described the same sequence and charges. An investigation remains active, deputies said.
Source: South Florida Media, citing WPLG Local 10, NBC 6 and CBS Miami reporting