Responding Deputy Kills Woman Involved In Crash

A woman survived a crash on a Marion County road only to be hit and killed by a deputy responding to the crash near Ocklawaha. The deputy wasn't using emergency lights, even though it was pitch black out when it happened, but investigators say lights and sirens were not required.

Marion County Road 464 has two lanes with a fair share of twists and turns. The Highway Patrol says, Thursday night, 39-year-old Jeannia DeJesus was walking up the road and was struck and killed by a Marion County deputy.

"The deputy saw her at the last minute. It's a very dark, unlit area. He tried to take evasive action by braking," FHP Trooper Jeff Hilliard said.

Troopers say Deputy Robert Rath, Jr. was responding to a traffic accident. It turned out to be DeJesus. FHP says she rolled her pickup a short distance up the road and was walking away from the crash, apparently in the deputy's lane of travel.

Investigators say the officer was not speeding to check out the wreck.

"No lights or sirens. He was responding to actually the original traffic crash, we've been told," Hilliard said.

The sheriff's office will conduct its own investigation of the accident after FHP is finished with theirs. The case will go before an accident review board. Until then, Rath will stay on regular duty.

"He's back on the road Monday. It's up to him, if he's physically able, and mentally he feels he can do that, he'll be back on the road Monday," said Jenifer Lowe, Marion County Sheriff's Office.

FHP says the victim may have been injured and disoriented after rolling her truck, which could explain why she was walking on the road. Investigators say any autopsy will also check to see if alcohol was a factor.