Pedestrian killed in crash with Collier County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
Crash
Credit: CBS

A 19-year-old pedestrian died after he was hit by a Collier County Sheriff’s deputy early Sunday.

The crash happened on Santa Barbara Boulevard just south of Hunter Boulevard in Golden Gate, according to Florida Highway Patrol. It happened just after midnight.

According to a spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol, the 33-year-old Collier County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling northbound with their emergency equipment activated. That’s when a pedestrian walked into the path of the deputy’s vehicle and was hit.

WINK News asked David Thomas, professor of forensic science studies at FGCU, what could the next steps be in the investigation involving the deputy. “One, after the crash site, without what they’ve done. I know they drew blood to make sure that he was not impaired, he or she was not impaired in any way on alcohol or drugs, so they can clear that part of it. The second part of that is that FHP will do a whole investigation, the way they run their investigation, and then they will come up with a determination if the deputy was at fault.”

A memorial for the victim sprung up at a Circle K close to the incident.

Thomas says the Collier County Sherriff’s Office will do an internal investigation to see if the deputy violated any policies.

The crash remains under investigation.

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