Carlos A. Fabano

Published on: February 23, 2026

Pastor Accused of Sexually Abusing Minor at Miami Church. How Leesfield & Partners has Represented Victims and Survivors for 50 Years.

A pastor at a church in Northwest Miami-Dade County is facing charges after police say he sexually abused a 15-year-old member of the congregation.

Elco Vallier, 50, of Loxahatchee, Florida, was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation and lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor.

At around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, the minor told police that Vallier sexually assaulted her on several occasions at the church, according to a Feb. 18 press release from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. The girl’s mother told deputies that she found “inappropriate text messages” on her daughter’s phone that she alleges are from Vallier.

Published on: February 18, 2026

One Month of Self-Driving Taxis in Miami. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Just over a month after Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing service was launched in Miami, the company is already facing dubious safety concerns.

Videos of one of the company’s autonomous vehicles stopped on the Venetian Causeway Bridge and causing a traffic backup went viral online last month. The incident sparked conversations online centered around safety.

Mykel Kochenderfer of the Stanford Intelligence Systems Laboratory told reporters with NBC 6 South Florida that companies like Waymo hoping to launch these programs “need to get it right.”

Published on: February 18, 2026

Two Dead in Broward County Crash Wednesday. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

At least two drivers were killed Wednesday in a fiery, wrong-way crash on U.S. 27 in Broward County, according to media reporting.

The tragic crash occurred around 12:25 a.m. at Mile Marker 37 and involved a white Land Rover Discovery and a white 2013 Nissan Altima, officials with Florida Highway Patrol told reporters with The Miami Herald. The Nissan, driven by a 24-year-old woman, was headed south in the northbound lanes where the Land Rover was driving north and the two collided.

The Land Rover caught fire and the driver was trapped inside. Both drivers died at the scene.

Published on: February 18, 2026

Warnings Issued Over ATV Usage. At Least Eight People Dead.

By Leesfield & Partners

Several warnings have been issued regarding all-terrain vehicles in the U.S. over the last several months following the deaths of at least eight people in recent weeks, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.

The warnings were issued in late 2025 and early 2026 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding specific brands of ATVs. Among them was an Aunvito MX Moto youth ATV with the CPSC stating that the vehicles violate mandatory standards for youth ATVs, including failing to meet mechanical suspension requirements. This creates a crash hazard. Another issue flagged by the agency is that the vehicles’ surfaces exceed maximum temperature requirements and pose a risk of burns. The handlebars could potentially pose a laceration hazard if a child were to come into contact with it at a high rate of speed. The vehicle is also missing required safety reflectors.

The agency also issued a warning last month for Nakto Youth ATVs sold o Amazon, which exceed speed limits for children 6 years old and older. These vehicles also have a suspension and handlebar issue.

Published on: January 13, 2026

‘We are Asking the Community to Pray:’ Police Investigating After Child Dies in Drowning at Miami-Dade County Pool

By Leesfield & Partners

Police are investigating the death of a 3-year-old girl who allegedly wandered into the backyard pool of a home and drowned over the weekend.

Police were called shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 to a home near Southwest 132^nd Avenue and 119^th Street, according to reporting from The Miami Herald. The girl, who has not been named publicly by authorities as of Monday, Jan. 12, was staying at the home with her family and four other siblings.

“This is a very sad and tragic event,” a police spokesperson told reporters. “We are asking the community to pray for this family.”

Published on: December 15, 2025

Miami Home Destroyed After This Common Appliance Exploded, officials say. What Happened?

By Leesfield & Partners

A fire broke out after an e-bike exploded, severely burning a home in Northwest Miami-Dade over the weekend, according to reporting from WSVN.

Josue Paz, the son of the homeowner, told reporters that he was asleep when an e-bike, which was given to him as a birthday gift, exploded around 10 :30 p.m. Saturday.

Paz said he jumped out of bed and rushed to get his family out of the house.

Published on: December 15, 2025

Car Driving Down Florida Highway Hit by Plane. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A woman was in for a shock this week when the vehicle she was in was hit by a plane attempting a crash landing.

The incident happened around 5:45 p.m. in Brevard County on Monday, Dec. 8, on I-95, according to reporting from WSVN. The 27-year-old pilot was attempting to make an emergency landing following an engine failure.

Miraculously, the 57-year-old driver was taken to the hospital with only minor injuries. Onlookers described the car, a 2023 Toyota Camry, as “crushed” except for the driver’s side.

Published on: December 9, 2025

Over a Dozen Confirmed Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in Orange County, officials say.

By Leesfield & Partners

At least 14 suspected and confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease allegedly stemming from the same Orlando gym have been reported to the Florida Department of Health, according to local media.

While the Florida Department of Health has not released the name of the gym at the center of the outbreak, local media has identified the location as Crunch Fitness in Ocoee.

Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith told reporters that the gym’s spa was closed due to violations found following a regulatory inspection. The inspection included testing disinfectant levels, temperature and water pH levels, according to local media.

Published on: December 9, 2025

Police: Elderly Man in Wheelchair Dies Following Florida City Crash. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A man in a wheelchair died Thursday morning in Florida City after being hit by a tanker truck, according to reporting from Local 10 News.

The name of the man has not been released, but authorities told reporters that the pedestrian was an elderly man.

The incident happened around 4:37 a.m. when the driver of the tanker truck was headed down North Krome Avenue. The driver allegedly told police that he did not see the man.

Published on: November 13, 2025

Leesfield & Partners Secures Largest Legionnaires’ Disease Recovery in U.S. History

By Leesfield & Partners

Eric Shane, a Leesfield & Partners Trial Attorney, secured a $4 million recovery in a Legionnaires’ disease case, marking the largest of its kind for a single plaintiff in U.S. history.

“I am proud of this result not because of the number, but because it represents justice and accountability,” Mr. Shane said. “The family trusted us to make sure their loved one’s death wasn’t in vain, and we take that responsibility seriously.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling vaporized water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Common sources of exposure include cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, showers and plumbing systems in large buildings. Those who are at greatest risk include older adults, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions.