Deputy Struck by Vehicle During High School Graduation Ceremony

UPDATE: The following statement was provided by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office:

𝗖𝗖𝗦𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗨𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗞 𝗕𝗬 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

At approximately 9:05 this evening, May 23, 2023, while several of our deputies were directing traffic at the intersection of Saunders Way and South Lecanto Highway following the Lecanto High School graduation, a motorist traveling south on South Lecanto Highway struck Deputy Andy Lahera causing critical injuries. Immediate life-saving measures were performed by on-scene deputies and other first responders who quickly traveled to the scene to administer first aid. Because of the serious nature of his injuries, a MEDEVAC helicopter was called in to fly Deputy Lahera to a trauma center where he remains in critical condition.

Deputy Lahera’s family is on scene as are other members of our CCSO family. Please keep Deputy Lahera and his family in your prayers as we all pray for his recovery.

FHP is currently on-scene and investigating this incident. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

LECANTO - There are unconfirmed reports that a Citrus County Sheriff's Deputy has been critically injured after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of South Lecanto Hwy and Saunders Way.

Sources say the deputy was directing traffic during the Lecanto High School graduation ceremony when he was struck.

He has been airlifted to a trauma center, according to sources.

We will bring more on this story when more details are available.