DeLand police officer hits, kills pedestrian, FHP says

A DeLand police officer in a cruiser struck two pedestrians Wednesday night, killing one and seriously injuring the other, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Officer Tony Tagle was driving north on Woodland Boulevard in the right lane when two men tried to cross the road near South Street and walked in front of the officer shortly before 11:30 p.m., said FHP Sgt. Kim Montes.

Tagle could not avoid the men and hit them, she said.

A 58-year-old man from DeLand was taken to Florida Hospital DeLand, where he was pronounced dead. His name was not released.

The other man, Robert Weaver, 50, of DeLand, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger called the incident a tragedy and said Tagle was upset.

“It’s heartbreaking for all of us,” he said. “All officers come out here to protect and serve and to protect life. When incidents like this occur, our officers feel [their impact], as does our community.”

Montes said Weaver told troopers the two men are homeless and had been drinking earlier in the night. She said speed does not appear to be a factor and the area is dark.

Tagle had just left a robbery call and was on routine patrol.

Umberger said that the in-car camera did not work and Tagle’s body camera did not capture the incident.

The City of DeLand is working with the Florida Department of Transportation to get better lighting for the area, the chief said. Homeless people are known to walk in the area, he said.

Tagle, 23, was hired in 2014, according to the DeLand Police Department. He is on standard administrative leave until the FHP investigation is complete.

Tagle received an 8-hour suspension in 2015 after going more than 75 mph in a 30-mph zone without activating his lights or sirens while chasing a fleeing suspect, police said. He also was punished last year after he hit a storm drain while responding to a call.