“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our brothers,” the sheriff’s office said.
A crash in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Thursday morning, left two deputies dead and one other critically injured, according to officials.
Calling it a “horrific accident,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said via remote video feed at an emotional press conference that the deputies were conducting traffic enforcement on State Road 80 when a mechanical issue caused one deputy’s motorcycle to stall.
The deputy then called his two colleagues to help move the bike to a grassy area on the shoulder of the road. The trio was waiting for another officer to bring them battery cables when the crash occurred.
A woman driving east veered off the road to avoid colliding with a car in front of her, which had begun to slow.
She “overcompensated” and struck all three deputies with her SUV, Bradshaw said. The collision caused each deputy to become airborne, thrown in different directions.
The agency said the crash occurred shortly before 9:30 a.m.
The men who died were seasoned deputies. The 3rd deputy is in critical condition.
The deputies were transported to a local hospital. Two of them, identified as Corporal Luis Paez and Deputy Ralph “Butch” Waller succumbed to their injuries.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our brothers, honor their memory, and support their families during this devastating time,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.
Paez was a 36-year veteran of the agency, and Waller was a former Royal Palm Beach police officer who joined PBSO when the village’s police department merged with the sheriff’s office in 2008.
The third deputy, Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, underwent surgery and is “currently fighting for his life,” per the agency. He is a 20-year veteran of PBSO and a member of the motor unit for 10 years.
“We ask for your thoughts and prayers for him and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.
PBSO did not identify the driver of the SUV, who Bradshaw said sustained minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol, which is leading the investigation, identified the driver as a 31-year-old woman from Pennsylvania. According to NBC Miami, she has not been charged.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis releases statement
Gov. Ron DeSantis released a statement on Thursday in response to the incident.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the two @PBCountySheriff deputies who lost their lives today when their motorcycles were struck by a driver in Palm Beach,” the statement said. “@CaseyDeSantis and I are praying for your comfort in this difficult time.”
DeSantis added that his family is “praying” for a speedy recovery for Deputy Diaz.
