Two early morning crashes in Volusia County left a teen dead and a deputy had to be airlifted to a local area hospital.
16-year-old Brandon Vera, of Orange City, died on the spot after he was hit on US 17-92 near Ohio Avenue just before 7:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Vera was attempting to cross US 17-92 and not in a crosswalk, when he walked into the path of Mazda van, heading northbound. The front of the van struck Vera, who died on the spot. A Deltona woman, Hattie Joyal was driving the van at the time of the crash.
Troopers say, this crash remains under investigation.
In a separate crash, not far from where the teen died, a Chevy SUV crashed into police car, about one hour before.
FHP said, a marked police car was heading northbound on Volusia Avenue when a Chevy SUV, traveling southbound, attempted to turn left onto Graves Avenue, turning into the direct path of the patrol car. The front of the Chevy SUV struck the left side of the deputy’s patrol car.
Deputy Roy Galarza, who was driving the patrol car, was airlifted to Halifax Medical Center, with minor injuries.
Kenneth Hasenbuhler, of Deland, the driver of the Chevy SUV was ticketed for violating a right of way.
