PBSO identifies 2 deputies killed, 1 critically injured in crash
LOXAHATCHEE - Two Palm Beach County deputies died and a third is in critical condition after they were hit by an SUV driven by a woman who had veered off the side of the road Thursday morning near Loxahatchee.
The deputies, who have a combined 74 years of service with PBSO, mainly in the motorcycle unit, were handling traffic enforcement in western part of the county, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.
Sheriff's Rick Bradshaw called it "horrific accident."
The crash occurred at 9:29 a.m. at 18000 Southern Boulevard, just west of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, near Lion Country Safari. They were were struck by the SUV that had unintentionally gone off the side of the road, PBSO and Florida Highway Patrol, the lead investigating agency, said.
All three deputies were taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach via Trauma Hawks where the two were pronounced dead.
Bradshaw said the injured deputy underwent surgery, and is in critical but stable condition in the intensive car unit.
He said he saw all three deputies at his party on Nov. 5 celebrating being elected to his fifth term as sheriff.
"I tell people all the time, law enforcement, public safety and military, when they kiss their family goodbye, it might be the might last time," Bradshaw said. "I'm sure deputies not in wildest dreams thought this would happen."
"When deputies die, a piece of community dies with them."
On Thursday night, PBSO spokeswoman Teri Barbera identified the victims.
Cpl. Luis Paez, who died and was born in 1966, worked for more than 36 years with PBSO, first as a corrections deputy before moving to road patrol, "and ultimately serving passionately as a motor deputy for more than 20 years," Barbera wrote.
Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, who died and was born in 1970, "has been a valued member of our motor unit" for 18 years, having started his law enforcement career with the Royal Palm Beach Police Department before it merged with PBSO in October 2008.
Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, who was injured and was born in 1973, joined PBSO in 2004. He worked in the motor unit for over 10 years. "We ask for your thoughts and prayers for D/S Diaz and his family during this incredibly difficult time," Barbera wrote.
Bradshaw described to media what led up to the crash.
They were working traffic enforcement, clocking cars that were going eastbound on Southern.
One of the motorcyclists was on the side with a dead battery and the two others came over to assist. They were waiting for a PBSO vehicle to get a battery jumper while on the grassy area of the shoulder.
A woman in her 30s from Pennsylvania was driving a gray 2019 Jeep SUV eastbound within the center lane when she is believed to have encountered a slower vehicle in the center lane and "she abruptly veered to the right toward the southern shoulder," Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Indiana Miranda wrote in a news release after Bradshaw's news conference.
The SUV first collided with the metal guardrail, rotated and struck the deputies, who were standing. They vaulted on the asphalt or into the grass area between the shoulder and guard rail, Miranda said. They came to a rest outside the guard rail.
"One of those things," Bradshaw said. "You overcompensate. Tires get on the edge of the road."
Bradshaw said the driver was going the speed limit which is 55 mph. She suffered minor injuries, according to Bradshaw, who added she doesn't believe she was impaired.
FHP is the lead agency investigating the crash.
At 1:45 p.m., a motorcycle escort of law enforcement personnel from several agencies took the deputies' bodies in ambulances from the hospital to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office.
One man was overwhelmed when he saw the number of officers to escort the fallen.
"These guys were taken in their prime," the man told CBS News Miami. "Why? It just don't make any sense."
PBSO posted on X: "Please keep our PBSO family in your thoughts and prayers during this devastating time."
And Palm Beach County Fire Rescue posted: "We mourn alongside our PBSO Family after todays's horrific incident."
U.S. Senator Rick Scott posted on X:
Just spoke to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to let him know Ann and I are praying for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office team, the families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured. 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."
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony posted on Facebook:
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to our brothers and sisters at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deputies' families, friends, colleagues and the entire community during this difficult time. Rest in peace."