Ferrari has made headlines nonstop this year for a wide range of reasons, from oval-shaped piston designs to the controversial 849 Testarossa release. But this week, one of Maranello’s most expensive modern creations made the news for far less glamorous reasons. A stolen Ferrari Purosangue was crashed into a utility pole in Miami’s Brickell district following a brief police pursuit, triggering a power outage and an investigation that’s still unfolding. What began as a routine luxury vehicle transport quickly spiralled into a very public and very expensive mess.
Two Super SUVs Gone Missing
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According to NBC6, the incident dates back to Monday, 15 December, when a Miami Beach resident handed over two ultra-luxury SUVs — a dark grey 2024 Ferrari Purosangue and a white 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan — to a third-party transportation company. The vehicles were reportedly being taken off the island to be wrapped, but several hours later, the owner was informed they never arrived. Authorities believe the pair was stolen while in transit, prompting an investigation that eventually narrowed in on the Ferrari via its tracking data. It’s no small loss either. Even lightly used, 2023 Ferrari Purosangue models can command around $580,000, making the 2024 model year even more valuable – unless it’s crashed, of course. Add the Cullinan to the mix, and the theft represented about $1 million worth of luxury metal.
Short Chase Ends Violently in Miami
The driver of a stolen Ferrari Purosangue lost control and slammed into a utility pole during a police chase in South Florida, with authorities saying the alleged car thief was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. #miami #ferrari #crime #news #abcnews
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Just after midnight, City of Miami officers located the Purosangue near Southwest Second Avenue and 17th Street. Police say they watched a suspect enter the Ferrari and drive off, and when officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver fled. The escape was short-lived. Video from the scene suggests the Ferrari may have already sustained front-end damage, with the tyres screeching and the car appearing unsettled as it turned onto Southwest Second Avenue. Moments later, the Purosangue clipped a police cruiser with its rear before accelerating briefly and then losing control entirely, slamming into a power pole with enough force to snap it in half. The impact damaged a transformer, knocking out electricity to nearby buildings and leaving roughly a dozen customers without power while utility crews carried out repairs. For context, the Purosangue is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 producing 715 hp, meaning even the most skillful driver would have spun out regardless.
Apprehended
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According to Local10, police identified the driver as 28-year-old DeShawn Prendergast of New York. He reportedly fled the wrecked Ferrari on foot but later surrendered. After being treated at the hospital for minor injuries, he was booked on charges including grand theft and fleeing and eluding police. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported. The damaged Purosangue was recovered at the crash site, while the stolen Rolls-Royce Cullinan was later found unscaved in Miami-Dade County. Between this incident and the recent airplane-versus-Toyota Camry crash, December is shaping up to be an unusually crash-filled holiday season. Stay safe on the roads, and remember that even six-figure SUVs with cutting-edge tech aren’t immune to old-fashioned theft, poor decisions, and human error.
