NORTH MIAMI, FL – A multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 95 late Friday night escalated dramatically when one of the drivers involved allegedly opened fire, according to authorities. The incident, which unfolded in the northbound lanes near Northwest 125th Street, drew a significant law enforcement response and resulted in the arrest of a Miami man now facing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder.
According to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the situation began with a five-vehicle crash, a common occurrence on the heavily trafficked interstate. However, the typical aftermath of exchanging information and awaiting first responders quickly devolved into panic when gunshots rang out.
The Chaotic Scene on I-95
The initial collision occurred just before midnight on Friday, creating a scene of tangled metal and stopped traffic in the northbound lanes of I-95 approaching Northwest 125th Street. While the immediate cause of the crash remains under investigation, the focus of the subsequent law enforcement action swiftly shifted from accident management to an active threat.
Multiple 911 calls flooded dispatch centers, with callers reporting not only the traffic accident but, more alarmingly, the sound of gunfire immediately following the impact. This critical detail alerted authorities to a far more dangerous situation than a standard traffic incident.
Witness Alerts and Law Enforcement Response
Among those caught in the post-crash chaos was a motorcyclist who, in a panicked state, managed to alert responding troopers to the presence of an armed individual. The motorcyclist specifically identified the driver of a Jaguar F-PACE SUV as the person in possession of a firearm. This crucial real-time information allowed FHP troopers to approach the scene with heightened caution and focus their attention on the identified vehicle and driver.
Upon arriving at the scene, troopers located the Jaguar F-PACE and identified the driver as Phillip Nicholas Sanders, a 44-year-old man from Miami. According to the FHP report, Sanders initially failed to comply with commands issued by the troopers attempting to secure the scene and apprehend the potential threat. Despite this initial resistance, Sanders eventually exited the vehicle and was taken into custody by law enforcement personnel.
‘Extremely Paranoid’ State After Arrest
Even after being secured in handcuffs, the FHP arrest report details Sanders’ unusual and concerning demeanor. Troopers noted that he appeared “extremely paranoid,” exhibiting behavior suggesting acute distress and fear. According to the report, Sanders repeatedly vocalized his belief that someone intended to shoot him and was actively seeking cover, even while under the control of law enforcement.
This reported state of paranoia adds a complex psychological dimension to the already dramatic events, raising questions about the driver’s mental state at the time of the crash and the shooting. The FHP report does not elaborate on what might have prompted such fears or if they were connected to the crash itself or other factors.
Evidence Recovery: The Discarded Weapon
The investigation at the scene also involved the recovery of the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Another driver involved in or witness to the incident provided a key piece of information to investigators, reporting that Sanders had allegedly thrown the gun onto the hood of a vehicle.
Acting on this information, troopers located the weapon exactly where it was reported to have been discarded – on the hood of a silver Chrysler Caravan, another vehicle involved in the multi-vehicle pile-up. The recovery of the firearm is a critical piece of evidence in substantiating the claims of gunfire following the crash.
Medical Attention and Custody
Following his apprehension, Phillip Nicholas Sanders was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. This step was necessary to treat injuries he sustained in the initial five-vehicle crash. It is standard protocol for individuals involved in serious incidents who require medical attention to receive clearance from healthcare professionals before being formally booked into a correctional facility.
After receiving medical clearance, Sanders was subsequently transported and booked into the Miami-Dade County Pre-Trial Detention Center. This occurred on Sunday, approximately two days after the late Friday night incident on I-95.
Facing Grave Charges
Phillip Nicholas Sanders is currently facing a litany of severe criminal charges stemming from the incident. These include counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and improper exhibition of a firearm.
The charge of attempted murder signifies the belief by prosecutors that Sanders acted with intent to cause the death of another individual when he fired his weapon. The charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon indicates that Sanders is legally prohibited from owning or possessing a weapon due to a prior felony conviction, significantly escalating the seriousness of the case. Discharging a firearm from a vehicle and improper exhibition of a firearm address the act of shooting itself and doing so in a manner that endangered others.
As of Monday morning, the official status of Sanders’ bond was listed as “to be set.” A judge will determine the bond amount and conditions during a future court appearance, taking into account the severity of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
The investigation into the full scope of the incident, including the sequence of events immediately following the crash and the motivations behind the alleged shooting, remains ongoing. The Florida Highway Patrol and other relevant agencies are expected to continue gathering evidence and witness statements as the legal process against Sanders unfolds.
