Deputy run over in Orange County; juvenile sought, officials say

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet that the deputy was taken to a hospital after the Friday morning incident. Her husband is also employed by the agency.

Neighbor Jon Pavano said he was taking out his trash at 7:35 a.m. when he heard an engine revving and a auto speeding away.

Sheriff Demings is grateful to the probation officer that was with Sgt Pearce, for activating the emergency response button on her radio and getting help.

There were active custody orders on the 15-year-old and when confronted by Pearce, he fled in a vehicle, deliberately hitting the deputy in the process, investigators said.

“Based on what she is telling me, he deliberately ran over her”, Demings said.

When she hit the ground, she suffered a “significant” head injury that knocked her unconscious, along with injuries to a hand, foot and her back, he said. The teen has a previous arrest for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

Deputies have responded to his family’s home 12 times in the past six months, but it’s not clear if any of those calls involved the teen.

No further details have been released. No information was available on her condition.

Demings said deputies don’t know if the teen is armed, but said he is “dangerous”.

“We want him to really, peacefully, give up at this point”, Demings said.

He is likely traveling in a white Honda hatchback with black rims, officials said. “He needs to turn himself in; he’s in serious trouble”.

The 22-year force veteran had orders Friday to pick up Ortiz for four charges of burglary and attempted burglary.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.