FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office (SLCSO) deputy and a Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD) officer were injured following an accident on U.S Highway 1 in Fort Pierce Saturday night.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, two St. Lucie County deputies and one Fort Pierce Police officer were standing outside their vehicles conducting a felony stop of a reckless driver within the outside lane of US-1 at around 11:25 p.m. when Perry Peables, 45, from Vero Beach, was driving northbound on 25th Street in the outside lane.
Peables, failing to move over, struck the rear of a SLCSO vehicle, which due to the impact struck two other law enforcement vehicles and two of the officers.
SLCSO Sheriff Keith Pearson said that all three law enforcement vehicles had their emergency lighting equipment turned on during the stationary stop as Peables was approaching.
“It doesn’t really get any clearer than that that they’re doing a traffic stop. They’re off to the side of the road, they’re on a hill that’s not crested yet so you could see this a mile away," Person said. "Alcohol was clearly a factor in this.”
Peables, who was driving under a suspended license, was arrested for 6 counts of DUI with property damage and injury, along with refusal to submit a DUI test.
This accident comes less than two weeks after three Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies were killed after being hit by a car on Southern Boulevard.
"This could have ended tragically, a whole lot worse, so you feel it wrenched inside your heart when you hear these calls come out," Pearson said.
Pearson said as more people move to the area and roads become more congested, it's more important than ever to not be distracted while driving and to follow Florida's 'Move Over' laws.
The roadway has since reopened to the public.
Pearson said the officers have been released from the hospital.
"The deputies and officer are banged up but all will be okay," Pearson commented. "We are thankful for all the prayers and the support."
This is a developing story, stay with WPTV for updates.
