Will charges be filed in fatal crash involving deputy? Here’s what FHP told us

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol said Friday it is unclear whether criminal charges will be filed against a Pennsylvania woman who ran into three veteran Palm Beach County deputies the day before, tragically killing two of them.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased deputies as Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller, an 18-year veteran of the PBSO, and Corporal Luis Paez, who had worked 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 another surgery Friday.

The Florida Highway Patrol said deputies were on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard just west of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday when a Pennsylvania woman, born in 1993, driving a Jeep SUV approached a “slower vehicle” in front of her and “suddenly” veered onto the shoulder, striking the deputies.

Lt. FHP Indiana Miranda said Friday that there are no criminal charges against the driver of the Jeep at this time, adding that she was cooperating at the scene.

WPTV

“We didn’t have that feeling or probable cause to believe that this person was impaired at the time of the accident,” Miranda said.

The results of the driver’s blood tests are pending.

As for the traffic violations, Miranda said the FHP’s Traffic Homicide Unit will determine if the woman committed any wrongdoing, such as speeding or careless or reckless driving.

“We have to look at all the evidence. Get all this back,” Miranda said. “That, unfortunately, doesn’t happen overnight.”

Watch: FHP gives update on fatal deputy-involved crash

FHP provides update on fatal deputy-involved crash investigation

Miranda said investigators from the FHP — the lead agency investigating the tragedy — are measuring everything from the speed of the vehicle to the force of the impact to determine whether someone was at fault.

“Based on the impact on the vehicles, we can actually do calculations and equations as to the speed of that vehicle,” Miranda said. “How were the motorcycles located at the time? Where did the deputies sit?”

NBC 6

Calling it a “horrific accident,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Thursday that deputies were conducting traffic enforcement on Southern Boulevard by running radar on vehicles traveling eastbound.

While they were working, one of the deputies had trouble restarting the motorcycle and thought it had a dead battery. This prompted the deputy to call the other two deputies to help him get the bike off the road.

Moments later, they were hit.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, WPTV

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

“When a deputy dies, part of the community dies with them,” Bradshaw said. “It’s tough.”

Hours after Thursday’s devastating crash, hundreds of law enforcement officers from across South Florida took part in a procession for the fallen deputies, during which their bodies were led from St. Mary at the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Bradshaw said the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will plan funeral arrangements, which will take place next week.

“It’s horrible. The trauma we go through every day at work,” Miranda said.

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

“You would see those MPs there, it was really harrowing. Just to see their pain towards their partner,” Miranda said.

Currently, Miranda said this is still an accident investigation, not a criminal investigation. FHP is asking anyone who may have dash cam video from the moments before or after the crash to send it to the agency.

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