LAUDERHILL, Fla. — The last time Officer Jason Reyes spoke publicly, it was about the life-saving actions that made him a hero.
Now, jail records show the Lauderhill police officer is facing a criminal charge.
Reyes, who helped rescue victims from a fiery crash in May of last year, is accused of punching a driver in the face while investigating a separate crash earlier this year.
6 p.m. report:
The incident was captured on Reyes’ body-worn camera, according to investigators.
Reyes previously drew praise for his response to a fatal May 2024 crash, when a blue Mercedes collided with a Chevy sedan.
In that crash, body camera video showed him rushing toward flames to pull a victim from the burning vehicle.
“My priority was the car that was on fire,” Reyes said at the time. “I saw where she was at … in a pretty bad spot.
Reyes later recalled the emotions of that night.
“I couldn’t go to sleep the next morning right away,” he said. “I kind of cried a little bit.”
Ten months later, Reyes now finds himself on the other side of the law.
According to an arrest report filed last week, Reyes was working a crash scene on the 4200 block of Rock Island Road when he told the driver, identified as Jeremiah Ayden, to stand up before allegedly striking him in the face with a closed fist.
Lauderhill police confirmed Reyes has been on paid administrative leave since the date of the alleged incident.
“We are aware of the incident, and Ofc. Reyes has been on administrative leave with pay since the date of the alleged occurrence,” the department said in a statement.
Reyes has pleaded not guilty to the battery charge. He is scheduled to appear in Broward County court on Oct. 3.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
