Two Deputies Dead, One in Critical Condition After Florida Car Crash

Two Deputies Dead, One in Critical Condition After Florida Car Crash
Image: Fox News

According to police, a Florida deputy is “fighting for his life” Friday after suffering serious injuries in a “horrific accident” that also killed two of his coworkers.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw reports that a female driver struck Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ignacio Diaz Thursday on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard when she was attempting to pass a car on her right. Diaz had been enforcing traffic in the region alongside Deputy Sheriff Ralph Waller and Cpl. Luis Paez.

“She overcompensated, got off the road and then struck all three of the motor officers, at which time all three went airborne in different directions,” Bradshaw stated.

Bradshaw continued, “Hopefully he is going to make it,” in reference to Diaz. It’s a serious collision. The Florida Highway Patrol and I are working together to investigate this.

When one of the policemen “could not get his motorcycle started, so he thought he had a dead battery,” Bradshaw said, the accident occurred.

“So he called the other two over to help him move the bike off the road. They were all three on the grassy area on the shoulder of the road, and they were going to wait for another PBSO vehicle to come with some battery cables,” he added.

According to the sheriff, the female driver, who was in an area with a 55 mph speed limit and did not appear to be intoxicated, was slightly hurt in the collision.

Bradshaw claims that although Paez and Waller were taken to a hospital, “they were injured so badly they just weren’t going to make it,” even though “they worked on them for as long as they could there,”

“Law enforcement, public safety and the military are the only professions when you leave the house and kiss your family goodbye, that might be the last time, and here’s the example of it,” Bradshaw stated. “When a deputy dies, a piece of the community dies with them. It’s tough.”

According to the sheriff, who also described the tragedy as “horrific,” Diaz had surgery and is currently in the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital, where his status is serious but stable.

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“This is our hero, Deputy Ignacio ‘Dan’ Diaz, currently fighting for his life. Deputy Diaz joined PBSO in 2004 and has been a valued member of our Motor Unit for over 10 years. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for him and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook.

It also said, “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our brothers, honor their memory, and support their families during this devastating time,” in a post announcing Paez and Waller’s passing.

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With more than two years of expertise in news and analysis, Eileen Stewart is a seasoned reporter. Eileen is a respected voice in this field, well-known for her sharp reporting and insightful analysis. Her writing covers a wide range of subjects, from politics to culture and more.