A “horrific crash” in Florida has killed two cops and left a third in serious condition, according to police.
The incident happened Thursday morning on Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach County and included three motorcycle deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office who were conducting traffic enforcement at the time, according to the sheriff’s office.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, one of the deputies was unable to start his motorbike and summoned the other two to assist him in moving it off the road.
The cops were waiting for help in a grassy area off the road when a woman driving eastward in the center lane attempted to pass a vehicle and “overcompensated,” hitting all three, he said.
“All three went airborne in different directions,” Bradshaw stated during a press briefing Thursday afternoon. Bradshaw said the deputies were taken to a local hospital, where two of them were confirmed dead.
The sheriff’s office recognized them as Cpl. Luis Paez, who had been a motor deputy for more than 20 years after joining the department in 1988, and Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller, who had worked in the motor unit for more than 18 years.
The third, deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, who joined the office in 2004 and has been on the motor unit for almost ten years, underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition, he said.
“Hopefully he’s going to make it,” Bradshaw remarked. “But it’s a bad crash.” The collision is being investigated by both the sheriff’s office and the Florida Highway Patrol.
Bradshaw said the female driver suffered minor injuries. According to preliminary findings, she did not appear to be handicapped. Investigators had not yet determined her speed, he said.
Authorities stated no criminal charges had been filed.
A parade of law enforcement personnel from all around South Florida led the slain deputies from the hospital to the county medical examiner’s office, according to West Palm Beach ABC affiliate WPBF.
“I always remind people that law enforcement, public safety, and the military are the only professions where you may kiss your family goodbye for the last time. “And here is an example,” Bradshaw remarked. “‘I’m sure that these deputies, not in their wildest dreams, thought that this was going to happen to them today.”
“When a deputy dies, a piece of the community goes with them. “It’s tough,” he added.
Bradshaw said the deputies were part of Donald Trump’s police escort on election night. The president-elect was at his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach that evening.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott says he spoke with Bradshaw following the tragedy.
“Our brave men and women in uniform willingly put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, but devastating news like this never ceases to catch us off guard,” Scott stated in an email regarding X.
Reference: 2 deputies killed, 1 critically injured in ‘horrific’ crash in Florida: Sheriff’s office