by Miami-Dade County police on Tuesday identified the officer suspended after Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was pulled over for alleged reckless driving and not wearing a seat belt.
Danny Torres, a 27-year veteran, has been taken off the streets and placed on administrative duties while the department’s internal investigators investigate the matter, police said in a statement to NBC News.
Torres’ attorney was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.
Copies of the tickets showed Hill was charged with the violations. He faced a $179 fine for reckless driving and $129 for not wearing a seat belt.
The alleged violations occurred around 10:40 a.m. Sunday on westbound Northwest 199 Street while Hill was behind the wheel of a black 2018 McLaren, according to the tickets.
Traffic was stopped in the shadow of Hard Rock Stadium. Police body cameras and fans with cellphones captured Hill being handcuffed and laid face down on the sidewalk.
The Dolphins have condemned the arrest of their star player, calling it “despicable conduct” and a use of “misplaced power.”
Both citations were signed by an officer “M. Batista” with badge no. 9771.
Hill told NBC News on Monday that he was wearing his seat belt while driving but took it off when he was pulled over.
The player said he was cooperating and accused police of overreacting.
“It went from 0 to 60, man. From the moment those guys pulled up behind me and knocked on my window, it went straight from 0 to 60,” Hill said, adding that he called team safety officials from the car during the stop.
Anthony Cusumano And Jesse Kirsch contributed.
