Florida crash totals deputy's cruiser, injures 2

A deputy's police car was destroyed and two individuals were injured after a serious car accident in Florida. Reports from the Florida Highway Patrol indicate that the deputy narrowly avoided catastrophic injuries, as he happened to be standing outside of his car while investigating a different accident. While the officer was inspecting, the cruiser was struck by another vehicle and totaled.

The deputy had reportedly parked his car in the emergency lane on the interstate with its emergency lights activated at the time of the accident. He was responding to a multivehicle crash on Interstate 75, about a mile north from the nearest major interchange. It was struck by a four-door car, which contained two individuals, a 34-year-old woman and a 39-year-old woman. Both were taken to a regional hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Fortunately, the police officer was unscathed by the attack, and no other injuries were reported. All three lanes of southbound traffic were reportedly blocked for 90 minutes after the accident, forcing drivers through a detour off the interstate until the wreckage was properly cleared.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, but have not released information about the other motorists other than their names and ages. Charges have not been filed, but police say they are pending the results of the investigations.

The deputy whose car was totaled has been a police officer for nearly 15 years

This case shows just how dangerous car accidents can be. Fortunately no one was seriously injured in this crash, but that is not always the case. When inclement weather, such as heavy rain, moves in, it is important that Florida drivers take special precaution to slow down and drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions, which may not be the speed limit. This could go a long way toward keeping Florida roads safe.

Source: Gainesville Sun, "Deputy's patrol car totaled in crash on I-75," Karen Voyles, Aug. 1, 2011