Photo by: weartv
A 56-year-old Pensacola man is dead and a deputy is seriously injured after a deputy-involved crash in Escambia County early Wednesday morning.
It happened around 2:40 a.m. at the intersection of Beverly Parkway and W Street.
A white van and an Escambia County deputy vehicle collided.
The deputy was responding to a call for vehicle theft in progress with his emergency lights activated.
“He was traveling east on Beverly Parkway in the outside lane,” Florida Highway Patrol says in a release. “As he entered the intersection, with a solid red light, he was struck on the driver’s side by [the van] that was traveling south in the outside lane of W Street.”
FHP says the driver of the van — a 56-year-old Pensacola man — was unrestrained and ejected from the vehicle.
Both the van driver and the deputy — a 30-year-old Pensacola man — were transported to the hospital. The van driver died, while the deputy suffered serious injuries.
FHP continues to investigate.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons identified the deputy as O’Brian Hill, who has been treated and released from Baptist Hospital. Hill — who has been with the department for about two years — is expected to make a full recovery.
Sheriff Simmons says Hill has been placed on administrative leave, effective immediately, as an internal investigation begins to review “potential policy violations.”
“We have an obligation to enter an intersection only when it is safe to do so,” Sheriff Simmons says. “That is the bottom line. We will cooperate with Florida Highway Patrol, who is conducting a crash investigation. This is a terrible tragedy, and we are certainly sorry that it happened. Steps are being taken both internally and with the FHP in the hopes that it never happens again.”
“The deputy was doing everything he thought was right,” Sheriff Simmons added. “He was going to an active call for service and trying to get there as quickly as he can. But we have an obligation that you can’t go through an intersection if it’s not safe to do so.
“We have in-car cameras, we have body cameras, and we use these to critique our own action. So, to say we constantly train on vehicle pursuits and emergency operations, I think that’s safe to say.”
Accidents on the road can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial burdens. At Ovadia Law Group, we understand the turmoil caused by car accidents. Our team specializes in providing comprehensive support to those affected. With years of experience and a dedicated focus on personal injury cases, we aim to guide you through the legal complexities seamlessly. From investigating the accident scene to negotiating with insurance companies, our attorneys strive to secure the compensation you deserve. Call us at 1-800-674-9396 and let us advocate for your rights and alleviate the stress during this challenging time.
Source: weartv
