A Brevard County Sheriff’s Office agent was killed in a head-on crash on I-95 late Saturday while responding to an officer-involved shooting, Sheriff Wayne I said Sunday.
55-year-old Agent M was traveling on I-95 near the Mims exit when his vehicle was struck by a car traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes, according to I and the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened after a 26-year-old driver reportedly made a U-turn in the northbound lanes near the I-95 rest area and began driving against traffic for unknown reasons. The vehicle struck M’s car head-on south of State Road 46, authorities said.
Both drivers died. The crash was reported around 11:01 p.m. Saturday, according to FHP.
“This is somebody who had headed north of the State Road 46 interchange and made a U-turn for unknown reasons,” FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said Sunday.
FHP’s statewide investigations and reconstruction team is leading the crash investigation. Investigators are examining the vehicles, interviewing witnesses and reviewing physical evidence. Toxicology testing will also be conducted, Taylor said.
Authorities have not released the identity of the other driver.
‘Everybody lighted up’ around M
I described M as a beloved colleague and a man of faith whose passion for law enforcement brought him back to the field after years away.
M previously served with the Palm Bay Police Department and left in 2011. He returned to law enforcement after his daughter attended the police academy and began working in the field.
He joined the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in February 2021 and served as a deputy field training officer, a homicide unit agent, and a polygraph examiner.
“He was just absolutely an amazing guy,” I said. “He was one of those guys that when he walked in the room, everybody lighted up and everybody was glad to be around him.”
I said he was with M’s wife and daughter after the crash to deliver the news. He asked the community to keep the family in their prayers.
The sheriff said an agent traveling ahead of Msaw the wrong-way vehicle and alerted dispatch. The agent then tried to call M but received no answer. She later told I she feared he had been hit.
The same vehicle nearly struck that agent, I said.
Agencies rally around sheriff’s office
The crash devastated the sheriff’s office and affected law enforcement agencies across Brevard County, I said. M’s daughter is a detective with the Melbourne Police Department, and M had previously worked with Palm Bay police.
Titusville police offered assistance to help cover calls while deputies dealt with the shooting investigation and the loss of their colleague. A police department chaplain and crisis support teams also provided support to first responders and telecommunicators.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it was “heartbroken” by M’s death, praising his commitment, honor and bravery.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office also expressed condolences to Ms family, friends and colleagues.
I said funeral service details will be released when arrangements are finalized with the family.
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Source: Cbs12
