November 21 (UPI) — Two sheriff’s deputies are dead and a third is in critical condition after a “terrible crash” in Florida on Thursday, authorities said.

event Three MPs on motorcycles attended Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Those conducting routine traffic enforcement on Southern Boulevard. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said one of the officers had trouble starting his motorcycle and asked for help getting the other two off the road.

When a vehicle traveling eastbound on the highway attempted to pass another vehicle and was subsequently “overcompensated,” the officer lost control while waiting for help in a grassy area away from the road, striking all three motorcycle officers.

“All three flew in different directions,” Bradshaw said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Two deputies were pronounced dead at a local hospital, and a third was listed in critical condition Thursday night.

“Hopefully he’ll make it,” Bradshaw said of the surviving MP. “But it’s a bad accident.”

The two deceased deputies were identified by the sheriff as Corporal. Luis Paez, who worked as a motorcycle cop for more than 20 years after first joining the department in 1988, and Deputy Ralph “Butch” Waller, who spent more than 18 years in the motorcycle unit.

Third member of parliament Ignacio “Dan” DiazBradshaw, who joined the office in 2004 and has worked in the motor unit for more than 10 years, said he had surgery and is in critical but stable condition.

The sheriff’s office is investigating the crash along with the Florida Highway Patrol.