Florida deputy on leave after running red light, killing Pensacola driver

Florida deputy on leave after running red light, killing Pensacola driver

An Escambia County (Fla.) deputy is on administrative leave following a crash early Wednesday which resulted in the death of a Pensacola man, Sheriff Chip Simmons said during a press conference.

The crash occurred about 2:40 a.m. in the intersection of Beverly Parkway and W Street, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The deputy, identified by Simmons as 30-year-old O’Brian Hill, was responding to a call of a vehicle theft in progress, traveling east on Beverly Parkway with his blue lights activated.

Simmons said the traffic light facing Hill was “solid red” when the deputy entered the intersection.

Whether Hill slowed or stopped before entering the intersection is unclear, but once Hill went through the red light, his vehicle was struck by a white van entering the intersection from W Street, traveling south.

The van struck the deputy’s patrol car on the driver’s side.

The driver of the van, a 56-year-old Pensacola man whose identity has not been released, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Hill was also injured in the crash. He was treated and released from the hospital and Simmons said Hill is expected to make a full recovery.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Simmons said an internal investigation has been launched to examine whether Hill violated department policy by running the red light.

“We have a duty to enter an intersection only when it is safe to do so,” Simmons said. “That is the bottom line.”

The Florida Highway Patrol is also conducting an independent investigation.

“This is a terrible tragedy and we are certainly sorry that it happened,” Simmons said. “Steps are being taken both internally and with the Florida Highway Patrol in the hopes that it never happens again.”