ORLANDO -- A Florida Highway Patrol trooper is dead after a crash Friday morning on State Road 408, according the FHP.
Trooper Tracy Vickers was killed while driving his patrol car at around 5:50 a.m. eastbound near the Conway Road exit when he drove into and underneath a truck containing construction equipment, said FHP Lt. Kim Montes.
It is unclear if anyone was inside the truck at the time of the collision.
Vickers, a U.S. Navy Veteran, served more than four years with FHP and had previously been assigned to patrol in Leesburg, the agency said in a release.
“The entire FLHSMV family and his FHP brothers and sisters are heartbroken today as we mourn the loss of Trooper Tracy Vickers,” FHP said in a statement. “Trooper Vickers was a leader within the patrol and his troop and served as a Field Training Officer, training and mentoring new troopers. He served Central Florida and the state for just over 4 years, selflessly protecting Florida’s citizens and visitors. Please keep his family in your prayers.”
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings took to Twitter to express his grief.
“Very sad news this morning with the passing of an FHP Orlando trooper during a 408 accident. My heart goes out to the officer’s family and law enforcement family,” Demings said. “Please remember to travel safe.”
Other officials also sent their condolences to Vickers’ family and the FHP.
“Ann & I send our thoughts and prayers to the family of FHP Trooper Tracy Vickers and the entire FHP community,” Sen. Rick Scott said on Twitter. “Trooper Vickers dedicated his life to protecting Florida and was a true hero. We will be forever grateful for his service.”
Added Orange County Sheriff John Mina: “We are very saddened to hear about the loss of FHP Trooper Tracy Vickers. Sending our support and prayers to the family and all of our brothers and sisters at the Florida Highway Patrol.”
As a result of the crash all eastbound lanes SR-408 shut down, FHP said. The crash was reported at about 6:04 a.m. at mile marker 13, near the Conway Road exit, and is causing major delays, FHP said.
Traffic is backed up from Conway to Exit 8: State Road 423/John Young Parkway, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
FHP is expecting the section of SR-408 to be closed for several more hours as it investigates the scene.
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