A Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy was critically injured Saturday morning after being struck by a vehicle on Florida’s Turnpike while assisting at a traffic crash, authorities said.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 7 a.m. near Northwest 74th Street, where the deputy had stopped to help the Florida Highway Patrol with an earlier crash.
Assistant Sheriff Eric Garcia said the deputy was on duty and en route to work when he heard a dispatch about a crash on the Turnpike.
“The deputy was on duty,” Garcia said. “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 at the crash site, officials said the deputy — who was on foot — was struck by a sedan that was not involved in the original collision.
The deputy was transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Authorities said he remains in critical but stable condition.
Garcia said the deputy has served in Miami-Dade law enforcement for about 20 years and previously worked with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue before joining the sheriff’s office.
“We’re just hoping and praying that he can see his way through this situation,” Garcia said. “We cannot stress enough how important it is to our motorists, when they’re driving and they’re approaching a traffic scene, to slow down and to move over, in order to prevent these types of incidents.”
He added:
“Although we remain cautiously hopeful, this is very serious, and we ask everyone for prayers for the deputy, as well as the family and the officers.”
The driver involved remained at the scene. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, and no charges have been announced.
