OfficerBlueThe incident occurred about 6:30 AM at the intersection of State Route 66 and Old Trueswald Road. Deputy Bridges had been helping at an evacuation shelter, and was on her way to pick up supplies for the shelter, according to WFLA.
Deputy Bridges was in an unmarked cruiser when she was involved in a head-on crash, according to BayNews9. The driver of the other vehicle, who is reported to be a corrections officer, was also killed.
Thunderstorms were active in the area with a tornado watch, and it’s not known at this time what role the weather had in the collision.
Deputy Julie Bridges was a 13-year veteran of the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office.
No further details have been released.
Hurricane Irma is currently making its way through south Florida and the storm surge is burying cities in water. Parts of Miami are covered in water as the storm surge has moved in and at least one high-rise crane has already collapsed in Miami.
Our thoughts and prayers with the families of both of these fallen heroes and Florida as Hurricane Irma hits. Rest easy, heroes. We’ll hold the line from here.
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