Bicyclist hit, killed by Sarasota County deputy’s patrol car

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A bicyclist was killed Thursday night when a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputy struck her with a patrol car, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said a deputy was responding to a call for service when they struck a woman riding a bicycle at the South Tamiami Trail and Bay Street intersection around 11:38 p.m.

The deputy immediately stopped to aid the victim. Additional deputies were called to provide life-saving efforts, however, the woman died from her injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

“This is something that this deputy is going to be living with,” State Trooper Ken Watson said. “He wakes up every morning, he puts a uniform on just like mine, and he puts community above himself and to have to deal with something like this. It’s heartbreaking.”

The deputy was not hurt in the crash.

Flowers and candles sit at the crosswalk near the intersection.

The bicyclist’s family identified the woman as Evelyn Dayana Hernandez.

Gloria Siddiqui said she was like a mother to Hernandez, and they were really close friends.

“She was a devoted mom and in incredible wife,” Siddiqui said.

Hernandez, 22, was riding her bike home from work, like she does every night, when the crash happened.

“She was always very very very careful. She would never cross the street if the light was green,” Siddiqui said.

Trooper Watson said a witness at a gas station near the intersection told FHP the deputies light was green. Watson said they will use surveillance, and automatic vehicle locations to piece this together.

” (AVL) also will let you know where I’m going and what would’ve been their speed. So it’s things like this that will help us in an investigation,” Watson said.

Hernandez was in the crosswalk when the crash happened. Troopers said she did not wait for the light to change.

“Although the deputy was responding to a call, it was not an emergency, emergency lights were not engaged,” Watson said. “The deputy was not speeding, the deputy entered the intersection on a green light. Still, this is a devastating crash.”

All north and southbound lanes on South Tamiami Trail at Bay Street were closed. The east and westbound lanes on Bay Street were also closed. Drivers were asked to take an alternate route.

At this point in the investigation, Watson said the department came to the conclusion that the deputy did nothing wrong.

Siddiqui said she and the family will be waiting for the final investigation.

“We still cannot believe this is happening,” Siddiqui said.

The family plans to create a GoFundMe to ask for help with funeral expenses.

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