Miami, Florida – A Miami mother is facing criminal charges after authorities say she used her vehicle to drag a woman down the street during an early-morning confrontation in September. Police allege the incident escalated when the woman’s daughter urged her to “drag” the victim while holding onto her shirt through the car window.
Incident Overview
According to a police affidavit, 43-year-old Crystal Collins was arrested this week in connection with a violent confrontation that occurred on Sept. 13. The reported incident unfolded on NW 37th Avenue at around 3 a.m., where the alleged victim told police she had been standing outside a residence with friends when Collins and her daughter arrived in a Nissan Altima.
The woman claimed she had a verbal dispute with Collins’ daughter before the situation spiraled into physical danger.
How the Altercation Escalated
Authorities say the argument intensified when Collins’ daughter allegedly reached into the car, grabbed the woman by her shirt, and instructed her mother to accelerate.
The affidavit states the daughter yelled:
“Drag this h—.”
Police say Collins then hit the gas while the victim was still being held through the window.
The woman reported being dragged several yards to a stop sign before she was finally able to free herself from the moving car.
Timeline of Events as Reported by Authorities
The victim told officers that after being dragged down the roadway, she suffered painful injuries and required medical attention. She was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and treated for road rash and other impact-related wounds.
During the filing of her police report, she also alleged that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred. She claimed Collins and her daughter had been involved in a similar dragging encounter two days earlier, describing it as an ongoing conflict between the parties.
An arrest affidavit documenting the complaint and the subsequent investigation was later reviewed by investigators.
Statements from Crystal Collins
Detectives located and interviewed Collins on Wednesday. She reportedly agreed to speak with investigators and presented a different version of events. According to the affidavit, Collins said she had been attending a wake for a relative when the woman approached her “wanting to fight” her daughter.
Collins further alleged that the woman:
“punched her daughter through the car window.”
She told police that her daughter reacted by kicking the woman from the passenger-side window in an attempt to push her away.
Collins admitted to reversing her vehicle at one point, stating she put the car in reverse and backed up during the confrontation. She voluntarily showed detectives several cellphone videos she had recorded at the scene.
Police Findings After Reviewing Video Evidence
Investigators analyzed the videos Collins provided. According to the affidavit, the recordings aligned more closely with the victim’s account of the altercation than with Collins’ explanation.
With video evidence and witness statements considered, police determined that the alleged victim’s description of being dragged by the moving car was consistent and supported.
Charges and Legal Actions Taken
Following the review of evidence, Collins was arrested and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. She was charged with two counts of battery.
Court documents show she was later released on pretrial release and has been ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim. Her next scheduled court appearance is on Jan. 20, 2026.
Broader Context: Dangers of Vehicle-Involved Assaults
Incidents involving vehicles being used as weapons are taken seriously under Florida law. Even when no collision occurs, police classify dragging incidents or using a car to move another person forcibly as an assault with potential for severe injury. Victims can suffer abrasions, fractures, or head trauma from being pulled along paved surfaces.
Law enforcement officials often stress that disputes escalating into roadside altercations pose significant risk not only to the individuals involved but also to surrounding residents and drivers.
Conclusion
The case against Crystal Collins will continue through the court system as investigators assess the full circumstances surrounding the confrontation. With conflicting claims and video evidence now part of the investigation, additional details may emerge when the case goes to court in January.
If you live in the Miami area or have witnessed similar neighborhood disputes escalate, share your experiences in the comments below.
