Teen killed, deputy injured in Orange City accidents

A 16-year-old boy was killed and a Volusia County deputy was injured in accidents in Orange City early Thursday morning.

Officials said Deputy Roy Galarza was getting off his patrol shift in DeBary at around 7 a.m. when a car driven by Kenneth Hasenbuhler, 73, of DeLand attempted to make a left turn from Volusia Ave. onto Graves Ave. Troopers say Hasenbuhler's SUV slammed into the side of Galarza's car.

• Slideshow: Deputy injured after car slams into cruiser

Officials said the 28-year-old deputy was airlifted to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach with non-life-threatening injuries.

Minutes after that crash a University High School student was struck and killed while trying to cross Highway 17-92, near the intersection of West Ohio Avenue.

Florida Highway Patrol identified the student as Brandon Vera, 16, of Orange City.

The accident happened just two blocks south of the deputy-involved crash.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a vehicle driven by Hattie Joyal of Deltona was traveling north on Highway 17-92 when Vera stepped in front of her van. The FHP report says that Vera was not in the crosswalk as he crossed the highway.

Jariza Vera, sister of Brandon Vera, told WFTV her brother would normally be in a car on his way to school.

"My dad couldn't do because the car had broke down, so it's like, and I was going to go get it fixed today. It's like, it's terrible, it's the hardest thing you could see," said Vera.

Galarza was hired with the sheriff's office in August 2003.

Hasenbuhler was ticketed for violation of right of way, according to the FHP report. He was not injured in the accident.

FHP is investigating both crashes.