LECANTO, Fla. (WFLA) — A Citrus County deputy was left in critical condition after he was struck by a 19-year-old girl while directing traffic on Tuesday.

The sheriff’s office said Andy Lahera, 50, was working at the intersection of Saunders Way and South Lecanto Highway after Lecanto High School’s graduation ceremony when at around 9:05 p.m., a southbound driver hit Lahera.

Another deputy on the scene sprang into action and performed life-saving first aid care. Other deputies, EMS, and fire rescue continued at Lahera’s aid.

The deputy, and School Resource Officer at Lecanto Middle School since 2018, was critically injured and air-lifted to the hospital. He is still in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon.

In a press conference, Sheriff Mike Prendergast said Lahera suffered multiple broken bones and fractures, along with internal injuries. However, not all internal injuries have been assessed.

“Deputy Lahera’s family is on scene as are other members of our CCSO family,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post. “Please keep Deputy Lahera and his family in your prayers as we all pray for his recovery.”

Sheriff Prendergast said the Florida Highway Patrol believes the driver was distracted while driving, and traveling at a high speed. She was not hurt in the crash. Lahera was also reportedly wearing a reflective vest and had a flashlight to enhance his visibility.

  • (WFLA)
  • Lecanto High School graduation ceremony (Citrus County School District)

The Citrus County School District released the following statement.

“Last night, one of our school resource officers was involved in a traffic accident after he was struck by a vehicle after the Lecanto High School graduation. We send our continued prayers to the Lahera family, his law enforcement family, and our entire community. We have school counselors on campus at several of our schools today throughout the county to support our faculty and students to help them cope with this terrible accident.”

Superintendent Sandra “Sam” Himmel, Citrus County School District

The driver’s car is in custody for further analysis by the FHP.

Lahera has since been relocated to a trauma center to recover from his internal and external injuries.

“There was a circle of love around Andy last night,” Sheriff Pendergast said in the press conference.

FHP has taken over this investigation and they will release any further information.