During an ordinary Thursday morning, the risk inherent to the duty of law enforcement became bluntly evident on Interstate 95, when St. Lucie County Deputy Sheriff's life was abruptly endangered. Deputy Patterson, a six-year veteran, was struck by a vehicle while removing debris from the northbound lanes of I-95 near the Indrio Road exit. According to a WPTV report, a motorist failed to heed the call of emergency lights and collided with the deputy and her patrol vehicle.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson provided a firsthand account of the incident in a Facebook statement, indicating that, "Deputy Patterson came across debris in the roadway on I-95 near Indrio Road. As she attempted to clear the roadway hazard, a distracted motorist failed to yield and move over for her marked unit with lights on, striking her and her vehicle." This information was reinforced by a Facebook post from Pearson.
Mello Styles, a journalist with WPTV, described how the crash resulted in the detachment of the truck's bed from the cab, a graphic showcase of the collision's force. Patterson and one other individual were transported to the hospital via ambulance, an ordeal that fortunately did not result in life-threatening injuries for the deputy, as was later confirmed.
In expressing a mixture of gratitude and relief, Sheriff Keith Pearson's sentiment reflected the close call, "We thank God no serious injuries were sustained." The community, nudged by such events, could perhaps reflect on the brisk brush with mortality and the sacrifices made by those entrusted to shepherd public safety. Confirmation of Patterson's expected recovery came via a WFLX report, which quoted Pearson as saying, "Deputy Patterson was transported to Lawnwood with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to be OK."
