PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Two veteran Palm Beach County deputies were tragically killed and a third was left fighting for his life after being struck by a vehicle on Southern Boulevard near Loxahatchee on Thursday, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.

The wreck occurred at 9:29 a.m. in the 18000 block of Southern Blvd., near Lion Country Safari, just west of Pratt Whitney Road in Seminole.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who called it a “terrible accident,” said at an afternoon news conference that deputies were conducting traffic enforcement on Southern Boulevard and running radar on eastbound vehicles.

While they were working, one of the deputies had trouble restarting his motorcycle and thought the battery was dead. This prompted the deputy to call two other deputies to help move the bike out of the way.

WATCH: Helicopter video of the accident involving the deputy

Helicopter video showing crash involving deputy on Southern Boulevard near Loxahatchee

“All three were in the grassy area on the shoulder of the road and were going to wait for another PBSO vehicle to arrive with the battery cables,” Bradshaw said.

Meanwhile, a woman traveling eastbound in the median lane encountered a “much slower” vehicle and veered to the right, which was in the same direction as the shoulder of the road where deputies were located. The Florida Highway Patrol did not identify the driver but said she was a Pennsylvania woman born in 1993.

“He overpaid, swerved and hit all three engine attendants, at which time all three flew in different directions,” Bradshaw said.

A police officer and his deputy, who went to the scene before the accident, called for help when they saw the accident. All three MPs from St. He was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center.

“Unfortunately, two of them died, the third underwent surgery and is currently in intensive care, in a critical but stable condition,” Bradshaw said. “I hope he will make it.”

Sheriff’s office identifies two slain deputies Corporal Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller. The identity of the MP who is struggling to survive in the hospital and is in critical condition has been revealed. Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz.

The agency said Paez He devoted 36 years of his life to law enforcement, beginning his career as a Corrections Deputy with PBSO in January 1988 and transferring to the Road Patrol, ultimately serving as a motor vehicle deputy for over 20 years.

Mason He began his law enforcement career with the Royal Palm Beach Police Department before merging with PBSO in October 2008, where he served with distinction in the agency’s motor unit for more than 18 years.

Diaz He joined PBSO in 2004 and has been working in engine units for over 10 years.

Courtesy of PBSO

WATCH: Parade for fallen deputies in Palm Beach County

Procession for fallen deputies in Palm Beach County

Aerial video shows three motorcycles and a dark-colored SUV badly mangled after the incident.

The female driver did not appear to be impaired and suffered only minor injuries in the crash, Bradshaw said.

“When an MP dies, a part of the community dies with them,” Bradshaw said. “Difficult.”

A. March for martyred MPs It began at approximately 1:45 p.m., at which time a motorcycle escort of dozens of law enforcement officers carried the deputies’ bodies to St. Louis in West Palm Beach. Mary’s Medical Center to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Members of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, West Palm Beach Police Department, Palm Beach County Fire Department, Florida Highway Patrol and color guard, among other agencies, attended the emotional ceremony.

The convoy finally arrived at the Coroner’s Office just before 2:10 p.m., with a giant American flag from a Palm Beach County Fire Rescue ladder truck flying over Gun Club Road.

WATCH: Mock came to the Forensic Medicine Institute

Procession for fallen deputies arrives at Palm Beach County Coroner’s Office

Southern Boulevard was closed to traffic for hours west of Pratt Whitney Road in Seminole. But all eastbound and westbound lanes eventually reopened just before 1:30 p.m.

Florida Highway Patrol is the lead investigative agency for the crash.

“Please keep our PBSO family in your thoughts and prayers during this devastating time,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a post on X. he said.

Bradshaw said they will plan funeral arrangements next week.

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