A Broward Sheriff's deputy was critically injured Wednesday morning when his car veered off I-95 and crashed into a tree.
Deputy Daniel Rivera, 32, was taken to Broward Health North by Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, where he underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries.
Rivera is said to be in very critical condition, according to the BSO.
According to a BSO news release, Rivera's smashed car was spotted by a BSO communications training specialist on his way to work. He immediately notified BSO of the accident.
The employee found Rivera's car at 6:16 a.m. Wednesday, although it remains unclear what time the accident occurred. Initial reports indicate Rivera was attempting to take the exit from southbound I-95 onto Atlantic Boulevard.
According to Sheriff Scott Israel, the car was traveling in wet conditions.
"At this point, our accident investigators believe that the deputy began applying the brakes, lost control of his vehicle, and went off the road," Israel said in a statement to the media. "The passenger side of his vehicle struck a tree."
BSO's Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating to determine what circumstances led to the crash.
Rivera started his career at BSO in 2003 as a Department of Detention deputy. In 2002, he transferred to the Department of Law Enforcement. He is currently assigned to the Pompano Beach district.
BSO is asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call the BSO Traffic Homicide Unit at 954-321-4840 or anonymously report information to Crime Stoppers of Broward County at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.
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