A Florida lawmaker is “fighting for his life” after sustaining serious injuries in a “horrific accident” that claimed the lives of two colleagues, officials said Friday.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ignacio Diaz was struck Thursday on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard by a female driver who was trying to pass a vehicle on the right, according to Sheriff Rick Bradshaw. Diaz is also with Corporal. Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Ralph Waller were conducting traffic enforcement in the area.
Mr Bradshaw said: “She overcompensated, veered off the road and then struck all three officers, causing all three to fly off into the air in different directions.”
Bradshaw added of Diaz, “Hopefully he'll be successful.” “It was a terrible crash. We are working with the Florida Highway Patrol to investigate.”
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Palm Beach County Sheriff's Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz was seriously injured Thursday when he was struck by an SUV during a traffic stop. (Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office)
Bradshaw said the accident occurred after one of the officers conducted a traffic stop and “was unable to start the motorcycle and thought the battery was dead.”
“So he called two other people to help him get the bike off the road. The three of them were on the grassy side of the road, waiting for another PBSO vehicle to arrive with the battery cables. “I was going to wait,'' he continued.
The female driver, who was not impaired and was traveling in a 55 mph speed limit, suffered minor injuries in the crash, the sheriff's office said.
Bradshaw said Paes and Waller were airlifted to hospital, where they “were treated as best we could,” but their “injuries were too severe to survive.”
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“When you leave your home and kiss your family goodbye, the only profession you have is law enforcement, public safety, military. It could be your last time. This is an example of that,” Bradshaw said. “When a lawmaker dies, part of the community dies with them. It's a big deal.”
The sheriff, who also called the incident “horrifying,” said Diaz underwent surgery and is now in a serious but stable condition in the intensive care unit of a local hospital.
“This is our hero, Deputy Ignacio Dan Diaz, who is currently fighting for his life. Deputy Diaz joined PBSO in 2004 and has been a valued member of our motor vehicle unit for over 10 years. I Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,'' the sheriff's office wrote on its Facebook page.
A post announcing Paez and Waller's deaths said: “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our brothers, honor their memory and support their families during this devastating time.” added.
A motorcycle belonging to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
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As of Friday, no charges appeared to have been filed after the accident. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
