The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida is defending its right to investigate vehicle accidents, even those that occur off the reservation.

Tribal police responded to a January 21 accident that resulted in the death of a woman. The driver of one of the vehicles was a tribal member.

The Miami Herald said the crash occurred on a part of the Tamiami Trail that is not on the reservation. But the tribe has refused to turn over critical documents, the paper said.

In response, the tribe's attorney said in a press release that news coverage of the incident reflects "a perpetuation of a biased and racially motivated misperception of Native Americans and tribal governments." The attorney said tribal police have long investigated accidents along the Tamiami Trail.

Tribal members have been involved in two fatal accidents in less than a month along the highway.

Get the Story:
Miccosukee police defend actions in fatal Tamiami Trail crash (The Miami Herald 3/11)

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Editorial: Don't restore Miccosukee sovereignty (2/23)
Second fatal accident involving Miccosukee driver (2/20)