A road ranger was killed in a crash on the Turnpike on Tuesday.
A road ranger was killed in a crash on the Florida Turnpike Tuesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
It happened around 12:30 p.m. in the northbound Turnpike lanes near Southwest 120th Street in Miami-Dade County.
"It's an unforeseen accident that basically took the life of someone that we knew out here and we worked with out here on the Turnpike. A real nice guy," said Joe Sanchez with FHP.
FHP said the State Farm Safety Patrol ranger was stopped on the side of the road, helping the occupants of a red Mustang.
The ranger, 47-year-old Andres Garcia Boligan, was attempting to slow down traffic, when a dump truck apparently lost control of his brakes, hit a light pole and ended up running over the ranger.
"He veers out of control, goes into the emergency lane, hits the pole and as he's traveling that way, the road ranger apparently tries to run out of the way and he's struck by the truck," Sanchez explained.
The driver of the truck stayed at the scene and was cooperating with authorities. There's no word on whether he'll face any charges.
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"What they do out here is a very dangerous job and as a matter fact, in the last year, I think we've lost in South Florida two or three road Rangers due to accidents being struck by cars," Sanchez said.
FHP said Boligan followed protocol, and this was an unfortunate accident. The investigation is ongoing.
