Off-Duty Sheriff's Deputy Dies In I-75 Crash: Report

Bradenton FL

21 December, 2020

3:29 PM

Description

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — An off-duty Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputy was killed in a Sunday morning crash on I-75, WFLA reported. Deputy Antonio Hernandez, 22, was driving northbound on I-75 near Exit 220 when he was hit by a 72-year-old man attempting to change lanes, reports said. The other driver hit the right front side of Hernandez's car. This sent the deputy into the grassy medium, where his car hit a steel pole. Hernandez, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital, where he later died from his injuries, reports said. The 72-year-old wasn't injured in the crash. The 22-year-old, who joined MCSO in July, had just completed deputy training and was assigned to the agency's patrol division in November, the Bradenton Herald reported. Before joining the MCSO, he worked for the Palmetto Police Department. We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own. This morning, Dep. Antonio Hernandez died from injuries sustained in a traffic crash, while off duty. He began his career at @PalmettoPD before joining MCSO in July. Please keep his family & friends in your thoughts & prayers. pic.twitter.com/ocWV0P7dta— Manatee Sheriff (@ManateeSheriff) December 20, 2020 Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Bradenton newsletters and real-time email alerts.