PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A third deputy who was involved in the tragic Palm Beach County crash last week that killed two fellow motormen has died, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) announced Monday.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our third motorman, Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, at 12:42 pm today," the announcement says.
Diaz was initially reported to be seriously injured in the crash and "fighting for his life," while Corporal Luis Paez and Detective Sergeant Butch Waller's deaths were reported the day the accident happened.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw called the crash a "horrific accident."
Bradshaw said the three deputies were monitoring traffic along Southern Boulevard near Loxahatchee on their motorcycles, clocking drivers heading eastbound.
At one point, Bradshaw said one of the deputies called the other two over after he could not get his motorcycle started. The three ended up on the righthand shoulder of the road while awaiting another member from the sheriff's office brining them jumper cables.
While they waited, a woman was approaching the deputies' area, traveling in the middle lane.
Bradshaw said in an attempt to pass a vehicle in front of her, she "veered right," but "overcompensated" and ended up in the shoulder of the road, striking all three deputies with her car.
Aerial footage from the crash shows three badly damaged motorcycles on the road next to a damaged SUV.
All three deputies were transported to St. Mary's Medical Center. Sadly, Paez and Waller passed away. Diaz was given surgery then transported to ICU in critical, but stable, condition. He then passed away Monday. The woman who crashed into the deputies has very minor injuries, the sheriff added.
"Law enforcement, public safety and the military are the only professions where when you leave the house and kiss your family goodbye, that may be the last time," Bradshaw said.
The sheriff said he's received phone calls from US senators, congressmen, other sheriffs and members of the community offering their condolences.
"When you lose a law enforcement officer, you lose a piece of the community," he said.