South Florida Deputy Seriously Injured in DUI Crash

Islamorada, FL - A Monroe County Sheriff's deputy is recovering from serious injuries after a drunk driver crashed into his patrol car Tuesday night.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred around 10:30 pm near mile marker 87 on the Overseas Highway in Islamorada.

Deputy (name withheld) was conducting a traffic stop when 26-year-old Alexandra Baraga of Shoreview, Minnesota, slammed her vehicle into the back of the patrol car at full speed.

The impact caused the patrol car to lurch forward, pinning the deputy between his vehicle and the vehicle he had stopped.

Deputy (name withheld) sustained significant lower extremity injuries and was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in Miami for treatment.

The driver who was initially pulled over, 20-year-old Andrew James Gibson of Homestead, was also injured in the crash and transported to Mariners Hospital.

He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court.

Baraga, the driver who caused the crash, miraculously escaped injury.

She is facing a felony charge of DUI causing serious bodily injury, along with four misdemeanor DUI charges.

Jail records show her bond set at $95,000. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for April 23rd.

"This is a difficult day for everyone at the Monroe County Sheriff's Office," stated Sheriff Rick Ramsay in a press release. "One of our brave deputies has been seriously injured in the line of duty because of the reckless actions of a drunk driver. For the cost of a taxi or rideshare, she jeopardized the lives of everyone on the road."

Deputy (name withheld) is a relatively new recruit, having joined the agency in February 2022.

As of Wednesday afternoon, he was undergoing his second surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital.