will probably get into the 90s. right now, partly cloudy to mostly clear skies. i'll be back with your complete forecast in a few minutes. >> and breaking overnight, a dangerous drive. suv slamming into a south florida pizza shop. a woman lost control behind the wheel leaving behind a big mess for the owner. >> live on the scene with more on thatut of control crash. good morning, omar. >> reporter: good morning. it was around midnight this driver decided to turn this pizza joint into a drive-thru. a witness saw it happen and the driver nevev hit the brakes. they have things closed up. happened around midnight. folks were inside enjoying pizzas when this became a crash zone. this morning, two people are waking up in the hospital. >> she drove through the front. store front striking two

>> a scare in this oakland park pizza shop when police say a woman came crashing through the front windows. >> i heard an engine flat out go full speed ahead. window. never tried to stop. never hit the brake. >> paul saw the crash firsthand when he was feet away in another delivery. >> glad she went to the other parking spot. >> the suv coming to rest inside the downtown pizza grill. crews removingt overnight. the impact sending two people inside t the hospital. >> one woman was bleeding from e pace. another gentleman also looked very groggy and he was a ao cut. >> the crash left the business bashed up, it left erinson shaken up. >> looks like it happens in slow motion. you don't even have a chance to o

shows you how precious life is in the matter of a second. >> now, a giant messs left to clean up. >> we are told that driver was not seriously injured. she was placed in the back of a police car but unsure if or what charges she may face. this morning, we're live. today in florida. >> not on today in florida, a tricky touchdown after a pilot is forced to land a jet inside the everglades. >> reporter: the headline here, two people walkingng away from a very bad situation. let's get right to that video. this of the investigation as it was wrapping back here at the dock in the west broward area. this was not just your regular plane. this was a private jet. making its way towards ft. lauderdale executive airport.

pilot said he was having engine trouble and needed to put that plane down. this is the two people who were on board this plane. this was a man and a woman chose not to speak with our cameras. said they did exactly what they were trained to do and that is puttingghis plane down in an emergency situation. we mentioned, not your typical passenger plane. the l 39 albatros. this is not a military plane. common among americans into aviation and in other countries as well. the good ns both people on board walking away safely. 7 news. >> a brushfire burning last night. started north i-75 not far from where that plane made the emergency landing.g. officials say the two i iidents are not related. the fire burning 80 acres but not posing a threat to any buildings.

set to return to the scene today. > the police officer caught on camera slapping a homeless man last year has been found not guilty. the jury deliberatg for about an hour before finding ramirez not guilty of both charges. officer was caught on cell phone video grabbing bruce laclair's arm. ultimately, the defense's argument prevailed thate was acting appropriate leely. >> i was frustrated. frustrated, yes. >> you were very frustratete because he wasn't listening to you. >> i'm glad it's over. >> what do you do now? go on with life. move on. >> he was homeless at the time and the prosecution claimed the officer had no reason to react

temper. >> president obama's trip to cuba days away now. >> this morning we're learning where h hll go and who he will meet. >> with cuban american vips at the white house, fresh off a two-hour meeting yesterday with the president ahead o o his planned historic trip. >> he kws he's going to bring a lot of hope. to me, it's important. >> amelio was one of those in washington. president obama was looking for perspective. >> he has been very good with trying to get in front of the community. today was a great example of it. >> tt was another south floridan who attended the meeting. topics like the need for a reformed cuban policy was set to be the t t priority.

make sure overtime we are widening more and more freedom for speech, assembly, region inside of cuba. >> the president and first family head to cuba sunday. he'll hit multiple spots includin a cathedral to meet cardinal jamie ortega. he went to the white house and hand delivered a letter from pope francis urging peace and paving the way f f a diplomacy deal in 2014. monday, mr. obama will view a wreath laying. then he meets with raul castro. monday night there's a state dinner at the revolution palace. tuesday, his last day, he gives aational address to the cuban ople. some cuban exiles say they hope that happens or else.

for cuban freedom. >> deputy national security director addressed the trip last week. what we put at the center of our policy is what ll make life better? >> he e eoed those sentiments. the larger the normal gro will travel who will wrap things up. with baseball, he'll take on a game between the tampa bay r rs and the cuban nationall team. workers are busy getting the stadium ready. might also catch a glimpse of obama mania. vendors are selling shirts, flags and buttons depicting the u.s. commander-in-chief. this was broadcast o cuba tv. the inaugural flight between cuba and the u.s. arrivedrom miami. service between the two countries was suspended. for decades, had to fly via a

the mail flights will operate three times per week. now back to the president's visit. the first lady will meet with cuban students on monday. the first family leaves tuesday. and travel to argentina. president obama will be accompanied by the first lady, daughters and mrs. obama's mother. we're in the plex, today in florida. >> and stay with 7 news for complete coverage of the president's historic visit. we'll have reports beginning later today. >> the president making a pick for the nation's highest court. >> president obaba nominating chie judge garland. a long time prosecutor turned chief justice. mr. obama now asking the publicans to give a fair hearing. as promised, republicans are backing into their corner of the political boxing ring. >> fidelity to the constitution

stone of my professional life. and the hallmark of the kind of judge i have tried to be for the past 18 years. i promise to continue on that course. >> the confirmation process regarding the scalia vacancy will be deferred until after the election season is over. >> as part of protocol, president obama invited members of the senate leadership to the white house to personally introduce chief judge garland. >> after weeks of dodging the question and now that senator rubio bowed out, governor rick scott offering his endorsement and the governor's choice is donald trump. last night on fox news, he explained why he wted as long as he did. >> go back to my race in 2010, th party leaders said get out of the race. i was t t businessperson outsider.

i trusted the voters. i decided to wait until after pry nary. i do belie it's time to start thinking about november. we've got to beat hillary clinton. we need to listen to them. >> governor scott also say that go if party leaders take away the electionrom trump, republicans will skip the polls come election day. >> time to check on stories making news later today. >> christine cr is live. >> the youth fair kicking off the 65th year. includes rides, favorite foods and a whole lot more. the hurricanes getting dance fever. looking to make a deep run in the tournament. the canes earning a number three ranking. the first game tonight at 6:50. and a big night on american idol.

this time only five survive. find out who makes the cut tonight. plus, the country going green for saint patrick's day. started at the day to honor the patron saint for ireland. turned into parades, green foods and green beer. live in the plex, christine cruz. >> and coming up next from the plex this morning. >> how long were you a slave? >> five years. >> what is your name? >> a sneak peak at the latest adaptation of an epic religious battle. >> and on this saint patrick's day, don forget to wear your green. we're waking up into the 70s. by the afternoon, heat things up into the mid and upper 80s. >> a teacher out of a job.

drunk k a school. >> welcome back. taking a look at what's trending. a trailer for the remake of classic movie released yesterday. take a look. >> this ship is your body. and your god is the glory of rome. >> the decades old story originally starring charlie heston tells the story of a prince falls accused of treason. stars jack houston and morgan freeman. the movie hits theaters in august.

meteorologist vivian gonzalez. >> good morning, south florida. we are waking up to mostly dry condition outside the local storm tracking radar. this will be the trend at least for one more day. introducing a chance for showers and storms over the weekend. enjoy this quiet weather pattern while we have it. 72 in ft. lauderdale. 72 in key west. we have atream of clouds moving in at times from the gulf of mexico. as far as wind speeds are concerned, they are calm to light at times. with moisture in there, we have in the development of fog. it's pchy right now especially around the turnpike and i-75. areas down south that's where visibilities have dropped a little bit more. visibilities arere still decent at this time. be extra cautious just in case. from coast to coast we go. iet around the western half of the country. now we're getting a line of

developing from mico into texas, the gulf coast states with a a weak cold front hanging around the region providing for the potential of seeing strong severe-type thunderstorms especially around eastern texas into the lower mississippi valley region. that's where we're looking at e likelihood of seeing large hail especially this afternoon during the prime heating of the day. parts of north florida could see a few thunderstorms with this front nearby. here at home, on the warm side in the afternoon with high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. on friday, we're going to do it all over again. and the moisture levels increase a whole lot more on saturday. so we're bumping up the rain chance between a 30 and 50%. if your plans take you beach or boating, don't have any advisories. winds are out of the south. bay waters are at a light chop with the coastal waters as well.

afternn with forecast highs in the mid to upper 80s on this st. patrick's day. overnight lows will be in the upper 60sto low 70s. extended outlook is calling for times of wet weather saturday and sunday. and ratings g back to seasonal on monday. that's your 7 on 7. >> and straight ahead on today in florida. tens of thousands of police officers across the country are attacked on the job every year. that doesn't stop many from fighting crime.

on the beat. >> welcome back. time is 5:21. they risk their lives protecting us. 50,000 police officers are attacked on the job every year in the u.s. >> despite the risks and injuries, many go back to work. a special assignment report back on the beat. >> i came close to death. >> december 1999, deputy al hibbard was shot in the back after working a detail at a night club. >> i remember hearing the doctors tell the nurses hurry up 're losing him. >> september 2007 , jodie wright was shot by a man firing an ak-47 almost losing her leg. >> four and-a-half inches of my

>> in april 2010, officer castillo was hit in the head with a cinder block. >> once i was knocked out, he jumped down, dragged my body down and ran me over with m vehicle. >> three veteran officers their lives changed in a split second and recovery can take years. >> it takes special individuals to be police @fficers. we're out there everyday riskiki our lives for strangers. and for me, when i become to an officer, i knew what i was getting into. >> physical officers are -- >> it's mandatory for us to meet with every officer who has been traumatized. >> along with surgeries and ysical therapy, counseling is necessary. >> it's everythin they say is confidential which is extremely imimrtant. >> they come together to support one another. they know they are the lucky ones.

>> jodie wright survived but fellow officer did not. when deputy hibbard was shot, the deputy crashed his patrol car trying to get to him. >> when you can get up in the morning and you can walk and you have your strength and your life, that's a blessing in disguise. >> officer castillo agrees. >> this is a career i chose many years ago and i didn't want the evil person that did this to me to win. >> all three are now back on the beat 6 years and 24 surgeries aftfr the shooting, jodie speaks to others about her experiences. >> would i change it? no. because i know the dangers of the job. >> she hopes her experiences can get others back off the beat.

friends are what got them through their recovery. facing death makes them cherish life every singlgl day. you are watching today in

back.

page. >> that is today in florida at 5:00. >> hope you are having a good

>> this is 7 news today in florid >> south florida teacher fired accused of endangering students. officials say she was drunk on the job. >> a crook leaving behind a clue on camera. now police need your help to track down the man who stole thousands of dollars from a south florida school. >> and a deadly confrontation when a man breaks into a home of a police detective who happened to be home. >> and a woman making great strides after police say a roommate she met on craigslist left her in a ma. good morning, south florida. i'm christine cruz. >> i'm diana diaz. happy st. patrickck day. a quick check of the weather. meteorologist vivian gonzalez has the forecast. >> hey, south florida. yes on this st. patrick's day, we have a pretty lucky forecast in store for today. we're starting off with areasf fog. not so bad. very patchy especially along

we're going to keep things well above our average this time of year. and rain won't return in the forecast until the weekend.% right now, waking up into the upper 60s and low 70s. 72 in miami. 72 in ft. lauderdale to 68 degrees in west kendall. 0% chance of rain in the forecast with high temperature inside the mid to upper 80s feeling more likehe 90s when you factor in the higher humidity in place.e. overnight lows will reach the upper 60s to low 70s. morning commute looks good. at least there's no rain to talk about. we have a passing clouds moving in from the gulf. i'll be back with your complete forecast in a few minutes. >> nice drive out there as you are heading out the door this thursday. smooth sailing on the express way. the headlights moving south. that drive is 14 minutes froro