A nurse has been jailed for more than a year after allegedly killing three Florida police officers during a high-speed chase, which happened after a 12-hour shift.
Corrine Blue was arrested on April 30 and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, according to a statement released by the Palm Beach County District Attorney’s Office.
Corporal Luis Paez Jr.Support Ignacio “Dan” Diaz and Deputy Ralph “Butch” Waller were stopped on Southern Boulevard on November 21, 2024, when they were hit by a Jeep SUV, according to CBS News. There was an investigation into the incident and the authorities believe that Blue, 31, was driving the car.
“According to an investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, Blue was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee in an unsafe manner and over the posted speed limit of 55 mph before he struck the deputies, who were stopped on State Road 80 and their motorcycles, half a mile west of Lion Country Safari Road,” a State Attorney’s Office release said.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Blue was reportedly eastbound in the center lane before the incident, according to Local 10. He tried to pass a car that was moving slowly on the right, which is when he allegedly struck police around 9 a.m.
Blue told authorities he used to work in the telemetry unit at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, although he had worked a 12-hour shift in the emergency room for the first time before the accident, according to an arrest report seen by NBC 6. He also said he did not know the route he was taking home at the time of the incident.
“These charges follow a thorough review of the evidence and mark an important step in seeking justice for the families of Corporal Paez, Deputy Diaz and Deputy Waller,” the State’s Attorney said. Alexia Cox said the news report. “These deputies were working for this community when their lives were hit by a reckless driver.”
Dave KernerThe Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, also indicated the arrest in his statement. “Regardless of the final outcome, we remember Corporal Luis Paez, Deputy Sheriff Ralph ‘Butch’ Waller, and Deputy Sheriff Ignacio ‘Dan’ Diaz as heroes of our community,” he said. “We feel the pain and loss of their families, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the community as a whole.”
It is not yet clear whether Blue has entered his plea or retained a lawyer after his arrest.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond Us Weeklyrequest for comment regarding the review in this case.
