Car slams health clinic, hits a Florida deputy in treatment for on-the-job injury

A Florida deputy injured in the line of duty was hurt again when a car crashed into a physical therapy center during his visit, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s deputy was left trapped in debris and had to be rescued by fellow first responders, officials said in a news release. His identity has not been released.

It happened just after 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Jensen Beach Plaza shopping center in Jensen Beach, 110 miles north of Miami.

“A Martin County sheriff’s deputy undergoing physical therapy for an injury he received chasing a fleeing suspect, was seriously injured again when a car smashed through the ... facility pinning him against the equipment,” the sheriff’s office said in its release.

The deputy was taken to a hospital, officials said.

Details of the deputy’s injuries were not released. He was visiting the center for a leg injury, officials said.

A photo shared on Facebook shows the vehicle sent therapy equipment and cubical walls flying when it crashed through a glass facade and came to rest inside the center.

The deputy was the only patient hurt during the crash, officials said.

“The driver of the car was not injured,” officials said. “It is unknown at this time how the driver of the car lost control of the vehicle.”

This story was originally published September 16, 2022 at 7:25 AM with the headline "Car slams health clinic, hits a Florida deputy in treatment for on-the-job injury."