ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orange County sheriff's deputy responding to a call early Monday morning in Orlando struck and killed a pedestrian, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Deputy Eric Rivera, 38, of Orlando, was not injured in the crash, which happened around 3:15 a.m. on Oak Ridge Road near Orange Blossom Trail.
According to the FHP, two deputies were headed to a burglary call, and the first deputy cruiser had its flashing lights and siren on. A pickup truck in the area pulled over for the deputy but returned to the roadway after the cruiser passed, according to troopers.
Rivera, the second deputy headed to the call, did not have his cruiser's flashing lights and siren on, and switched lanes to pass the pickup when he struck the 34-year-old woman, the FHP said. The impact also caused the woman to hit the side of the pickup, troopers said.
The woman was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, the FHP said. Her name has not been released.
It's not known how fast Rivera was traveling.
Rivera refused to provide a statement to troopers, according to the FHP, which continues to investigate the fatal crash.
The driver of the pickup, a 25-year-old Homestead man, was not injured.
Oak Ridge Road was closed in both directions near the crash site but reopened just after 8:30 a.m. Monday.