Man involved in Florida fender-bender turns out to be fugitive from Mass. on the run since 2004

A minor fender-bender in Florida on Sunday led to the arrest of a fugitive from Massachusetts who had been wanted for more than two decades, authorities said. 

Deputies responded to a crash around 8:30 p.m. on Belle Terre Parkway in Palm Coast, Florida, where a passenger in one of the vehicles was identified as Carl Rivera, 52, of Southbridge, Massachusetts, according to a statement from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. 

After confirming Rivera’s identity, the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center determined he had two active felony warrants out of Miami-Dade County, the sheriff’s office said. 

“This guy has been wanted in Miami for over 20 years,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. 

The warrants, issued in 2004, include charges of possession of a controlled substance, violation of probation, and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use, officials said. 

“I commend our deputies for looking beyond the initial call and apprehending this guy who thought he had escaped the long arm of the law,” Staly said. “Instead, he earned himself a trip to the Green Roof Inn and a free trip to Miami by the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office.”

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