Bicyclist riding home from Walmart job hit, killed by Sarasota County deputy
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. - Family and friends of an Osprey woman who was hit and killed by a Sarasota County deputy as she rode her bicycle home from her job at Walmart are trying to cope with her loss as the Florida Highway Patrol investigates the crash.
Before Dayana Hernandez left work at the Osprey Walmart on Thursday night, she sent her husband a photo.
"She sent a picture to her husband and said, ‘My love. I will be home soon,’" said family friend Gloria Siddiqui.
On Thursday night, Hernandez and her husband were going to finish filling out paperwork to enroll their 5-year-old in school.
But, as she rode her bicycle home from her job shortly before 11:40 p.m., she was hit and killed by a Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputy while crossing U.S 41 at Bay Street in Osprey.
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"Her husband is so young, and he still cannot accept what happened. You expect everything, but you never expect a police car will hit you after work when the only thing you want is to go home," explained Siddiqui.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 25-year-old deputy was heading to a call and had a green light when Hernandez crossed U.S 41 in front of him on her bike.
"We have witnesses on scene who advised the cyclist went on the red, violating the right of way," said Trooper Ken Watson.
Trooper Watson said Hernandez’s bike did not have any lights.
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"That time of night is very dark. There’s only limited ambient light here, so when you’re on a bicycle it is absolutely paramount you have that bicycle lit," Trooper Watson said.
Hernandez’s friends and family are heartbroken.
"It’s devastating for us to see this," said family friend Vince Patano. "We don’t want this."
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Patano said he waved to Hernandez nearly every day as she headed to work. He said he had concerns over the intersection where she was killed.
"It’s so many accidents on this light over here. Probably once a week (there are) accidents and a lot of people got hurt very bad," said Patano.
It’s not just Hernandez’s family who are hurting.
"It’s extremely difficult to try and understand how someone would dart into traffic and even as a law enforcement officer, knowing he did nothing wrong, this will affect the rest of his life," explained Trooper Watson.
The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating.
They have found no wrongdoing by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department, or the deputy involved.
Click here for more information on a Go Fund Me account Siddiqui launched to help Hernandez's family.
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