A bicyclist died early Saturday morning after a Fort Pierce collision involving an off-duty St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) deputy who just got off shift.
Around 3:00 a.m. SLCSO and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to the 23,000 block of Okeechobee Road, outside the city limits, where the incident occurred, according to SLCSO.
SLCSO stated that the bicyclist was pronounced dead on the scene.
The unidentified deputy was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation due to the Sheriff’s Office’s policy.
According to John Kazanjian, a former sergeant with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and current president of a police union, this practice is standard protocol during investigations involving law enforcement officers, whether on or off-duty.
“It would probably take a good month before this is completed," President of the Florida Police Benevolent Association said regarding FHP's investigation.
Kazanjian knows firsthand the ins and outs of a deadly traffic collision not only because of his law enforcement background, but it's also personal.
“I lost a daughter at 16 in a car crash 20 years ago. She wasn’t the driver. She was a passenger," he said. "I’ve been through it, and listen, they’re going to do a thorough investigation for both parties involved.”
The off-duty deputy was driving an unmarked agency vehicle at the time of the crash. Such vehicles serve various purposes, including undercover work, gang units, tactical operations, and supervisory roles, according to Kazanjian.
State investigators are examining all aspects of this deadly crash.
“That will all come out in the investigation, whether they were impaired, were they tired, were they fatigued. Things of that nature," Kazanjian said.
“This is an extremely difficult time for everyone involved in this tragic incident,” said Sheriff Keith Pearson in a written statement. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the bicyclist’s family and friends as well as our deputy.”
FHP continues to handle the ongoing investigation

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