Home » News Stream » Local »

Deputies Made ‘Fatal Mistake’

By Associated Press

The Palm Beach Co. Sheriff says the two deputies who were hit & killed by another deputy while chasing a stolen car made "a fatal mistake" by not using a device that would have allowed them to pull the "stop stick" from the road without getting hit. Deputies Made ‘Fatal Mistake’

Published: Thu, November 29, 2007 - 1:48 pm Last Updated: Thu, November 29, 2007 - 1:55 pm

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The Palm Beach County Sheriff says
the two deputies who were fatally struck by another deputy while
pursuing a stolen car made "a fatal mistake."
The deputies were killed early yesterday morning after deploying
a device in the road to puncture the tires of the stolen car. The
deputies were hit and killed by another deputy who was in pursuit
in a patrol car.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says the deputies didn't follow procedures
that called for the use of a device that would have allowed them to
pull the so-called "stop stick" from the road without getting in
the path of the oncoming deputy. He says their mistake likely
caused their deaths.
Meanwhile, Ernie Daley Junior is being held without bail.
Authorities say he was the driver of the stolen car. He's charged
with one count of grand theft, one count of fleeing and eluding
causing death, and two counts of aggravated manslaughter of a law
enforcement officer by culpable negligence.
Police are looking for a second suspect.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)