UPDATE on critically injured CCSO Deputy Lahera
Photo of Dep. Lahera courtesy of CCSO.
Deputy Andy Lahera remains in critical, but stable condition at the Emergency and Trauma Center at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida.
"Andy had surgery on both of his legs yesterday. The surgery went well, and he is now back in his room, surrounded by his family and medical care team," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "With his wife by his side, Andy listened to the 'Night of Prayers for Deputy Lahera' at Seven Rivers Church (located at 4221 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy. in Lecanto, Florida). His family greatly appreciates this massive outpouring of love from our community. Please keep praying for Andy and ask our Lord and Savior to wake him up."
The Florida Deputy Sheriff's Association has launched a GoFundMe account for the Lahera family, and kicked it off with a generous $1,000 donation. If you would like to send a donation to the Lahera family, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/florida-deputy-sheriffs-assn-fund-for-Lahera?fbclid=IwAR1gZWw3dDOjgzSppAcMsTf14UBI_7MVpcZsgiK5OIOnsAcb9Qj3Cxk6LdE,
If you would like to send a card (no money or flowers, please) to Deputy Lahera, mail it or drop it off to:
Deputy Andy Lahera
c/o Citrus County Sheriff's Office
1 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
Inverness, FL 34450.
WHAT HAPPENED
At 9:05 p.m. on May 23, 2023, Deputy Andy Lahera, along with several other deputies, was directing traffic following a graduation ceremony at Lecanto High School, when he was struck by a motorist who was traveling south on County Road 491 (S. Lecanto Hwy.) near Saunders Way in Lecanto, Florida. The driver, a 19 year-old woman from Homosassa, Florida, failed to notice Deputy Lahera on the roadway.
Deputy Lahera sustained numerous broken bones, abrasions, and internal injuries. He was flown by helicopter to the trauma center.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, as part of several safety measures to ensure visibility, Deputy Lahera was wearing a highly reflective traffic vest, holding a flashlight. Traffic cones were set out, and the emergency lights were activated on Deputy Lahera's marked patrol car that was parked nearby.
ABOUT DEPUTY LAHERA
Deputy Lahera has been working at CCSO for fourteen years and has been a School Resource Deputy since 2018, with his current assignment at Lecanto Middle School.