A deputy was taken to the hospital on Saturday morning after he was struck on Florida’s Turnpike while he was assisting troopers in a traffic crash, authorities said.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, at around 7 a.m., the deputy stopped on the Turnpike near Northwest 74th Street to help the Florida Highway Patrol with the crash.
As he was helping troopers, the deputy was struck by a vehicle, MDSO said.
He was then taken to the hospital in critical condition by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, while the driver involved remained at the scene.
During a press conference, MDSO said the deputy was on duty and on his way to work when he heard about a crash on the Turnpike on his radio.
“The deputy was on duty,” said Assistant Sheriff Eric Garcia. He was en route to work. He heard a dispatch of a vehicle that was involved in an accident. I believe someone may have been trapped inside. He heard that go over the radio and he responded. He turned around and responded to the scene, and he was actively participating in traffic-related duties when the incident occurred.”
While assisting in that crash, another vehicle not related to the original crash struck the deputy.
Investigators noted that a Sedan struck the deputy while he was on foot.
After being taken to the hospital, the deputy underwent surgery, but his condition remains unknown.
His identity was not released, but officials said he has been with Miami law enforcement for 20 years, and started with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue before joining the sheriff’s office.
“This is very serious, and we ask everyone for prayers for the deputy, as well as the family and the officers,” Garcia said.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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