A DeLand police officer's patrol vehicle struck two pedestrians, killing one and injuring the other, on Wednesday night, troopers say.
- DeLand officer's patrol vehicle strikes 2, killing 1
- FHP: Both men were wearing dark clothes, not using crosswalk
- Surviving man told FHP that they were drinking, troopers say
Just after 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, DeLand Police Officer Tony Tagle, 23, was driving his 2007 Ford patrol car in the northbound lanes of Woodland Boulevard when two pedestrians tried to cross the road near the intersection of East South Street, according to the Florida Highway Patrol and the police department.
Robert Weaver, 50, and a 58-year-old man, both of DeLand, stepped into the roadway and were struck, according to FHP. Both were taken to Florida Hospital DeLand, where the 58-year-old man died. His identity has not been released.
Weaver incurred serious injuries.
Both men were wearing dark clothing and were not using the crosswalk while trying to cross the road, FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said. She added that the section of road where they tried to cross is not well lit.
Weaver told troopers that they'd drinking and were heading to a store, Montes said. FHP is looking into possible surveillance video as part of the crash investigation, which will be handled just like a civilian crash, she said.
Tagle has been placed on paid administrative leave per standard procedure, police said. An internal review will also be conducted.