Report: Deputy impaired by alcohol in fatal crash
WEST PALM BEACH (AP) – A report shows that one of the two Palm Beach County deputies killed when another patrol car crashed into them was impaired by alcohol.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw also said Thursday the patrol car driven by Cpl. Greg Fernandez that hit and killed deputies Donta Manuel and Jonathan Wallace on Nov. 28, 2007, was traveling more than 100 mph on impact.
Outside testing showed Manuel’s blood-alcohol level was .02 – well below the .08 legal limit – but authorities say it is enough to cause impairment.
The deputies were retrieving stop sticks used to catch a car thief when they were killed.
Fernandez returned to work in March. The agency’s accident review board has yet to view the crash investigation. The 19-year-old driver being pursued was sentenced to a year in jail.