Orange County deputy struck by vehicle near Windermere

An Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputy was severely injured in last week when he was struck by a vehicle.

According to Sheriff’s Office reports, the deputy was retrieving a sign that had been struck by a vehicle at about 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, near the intersection of South Apopka-Vineland and Conroy Windermere roads. The deputy then was struck by a driver in a Ford Focus traveling northbound on Apopka-Vineland Road. 

He sustained several serious injuries, including a broken orbital socket, a broken arm and a broken leg, but is expected to recover. The deputy was transported to a local hospital where he was admitted into the ICU.

The deputies were responding to reports of a suspicious person in the area. After they were unable to identify anyone in reference to the call, law enforcement said the deputy noticed the sign in the road and was injured while returning to his vehicle. 

Sheriff’s Office officials asked that the deputy’s name not be released. The deputy, 29, has been with the department for a little more than two years.

Sheriff John Mina said in a press conference Thursday, Aug. 29, that the deputy was well when he spoke to him before his surgery. 

“He seemed to be in good spirits and … it was nice that he was able to talk to me and answer some of my questions,” Mina said. 

Mina said the vehicles had stopped and their lights were on, but that the deputy most likely did not have on a reflective safety vest since they pulled over to get the debris off of the road and were not working a scene. 

“Luckily, there was another deputy there who was able to attend to their partner and the driver did … stop and was cooperative with the investigation,” Mina said. 

Florida Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the incident. The other driver was identified as 30-year-old Tashikia White, of Orlando. According to FHP reports, White submitted to a voluntary blood draw. Investigators noticed no signs of impairment. Charges are pending.

“I’m very thankful that the driver (White) stayed at the scene,” Mina said. “We never want to have a situation like we’ve had so many here where someone gets involved in an accident and then leaves the scene of that accident. Obviously, we take those very seriously and luckily that didn’t happen in this case.”