Will charges be filed in connection with deputy’s fatal accident? Here’s what FHP told us

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol said Friday it’s unclear whether any criminal charges will be filed A Pennsylvania woman who collided with three veteran lawmakers in Palm Beach County the day before tragically killing two of them.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased deputies as Undersheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller, an 18-year PBSO veteran, and Corporal Luis Paez, who had been with the agency for more than three decades.

A third deputy, Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, remains in critical but stable condition and was scheduled to undergo further surgery on Friday.

The Florida Highway Patrol said officers were standing on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard, west of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, around 9:30 a.m. Thursday when a 1993-born Pennsylvania woman driving a Jeep SUV approached a “slower vehicle.” ” in front of her and “swiveled violently” toward her shoulder, striking the deputies.

FHP Lt. Indiana Miranda said Friday that no criminal charges are currently being filed against the driver of the Jeep, adding that she was cooperative at the scene.

WPTV

“We had no indication or probable cause to believe that this person was impaired at the time of the crash,” Miranda said.

We are waiting for the results of the driver’s blood tests.

As for traffic violations, Miranda said the FHP Traffic Homicide Unit will determine whether the woman committed an offense, such as speeding or careless or reckless driving.

“We need to look at all the evidence. To get them back,” Miranda said. “It’s not going to happen overnight, unfortunately.”

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FHP provides an update on the investigation into a fatal deputy-involved crash

Miranda said investigators from the FHP – the lead investigative agency handling the tragedy – are measuring everything from the vehicle’s speed to the force of impact to determine whether anyone was at fault.

“Based on the impact on the vehicles, we can actually do calculations and equations for the speed of that vehicle,” Miranda said. “How were motorcycles set up back then? Where were the MPs standing?”

NBC 6

Calling it a “horrible accident,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Thursday that deputies were monitoring traffic on South Boulevard, monitoring eastbound vehicles on radar.

While on the job, one of the deputies had trouble restarting his motorcycle and believed his battery was dead. This prompted the deputy to call two other deputies to help him move the bicycle out of the road.

A moment later they were hit.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, WPTV

Bradshaw said the driver did not appear to be impaired and she suffered only minor injuries in the crash.

“When an MP dies, a part of the community dies with them,” Bradshaw said. “It’s difficult.”

Hours after Thursday’s devastating crash, hundreds of law enforcement officers from across South Florida took part in a procession honoring the fallen deputies as their bodies were transported from St. Mary’s Medical Center to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Bradshaw said the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will plan funeral arrangements for next week.

“It’s terrifying. The trauma we experience every day in our work,” Miranda said.

Thursday’s tragedy marked the fifth death row Miranda has experienced in just two years.

“It was truly heartbreaking to see these deputies. Just seeing the pain they felt for their partner,” Miranda said.

Miranda stated that at this time it is still an accident investigation and not a criminal investigation. FHP is asking anyone who may have dash cam video from before or after the crash to send it to the agency.

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