A Florida sheriff’s deputy has resigned from his job after he crashed into a civilian’s car.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs investigation found that former Deputy T M was looking at something “not safe for work” before the crash happened.
The deputy crashed in early November 2024 while driving south on County Road 435.
His body-worn camera captured the steering wheel airbag deploying after his department-issued cruiser crashed into the back of another car.
The video shows M tossing a cellphone onto the seat, then picking it up before he goes to check on the other driver.
“Hello, ma’am. Are you OK? I’m so sorry,” the deputy said to the other driver.
According to the new Internal Affairs report, the deputy told a sergeant the brakes locked up before he rear-ended the other car that stopped for a school bus.
The investigation eventually found M wasn’t truthful about what he was looking at on his phone right before impact.
M initially stated he was scrolling through text messages in a group chat with other deputies prior to the crash, but the investigation found he was viewing something that is more visual and inappropriate while on the job.
The report concluded that M “admitted to lying” before later revealing “he was looking at pornographic material on his personal phone just before the vehicle crash.”
Deputies found he violated three sheriff’s office polices; he departed from the truth, used an electronic device for something that was prohibited and likely wasn’t wearing a seatbelt behind the wheel.
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Source: mysuncoast
