PALM COAST, Fla. -- A Flagler County Sheriff's deputy is recovering from injuries he received after FHP says he crashed into the back of another vehicle early Wednesday morning.
"At this time, there is no indication that he violated any agency policy," said Flagler County Undersheriff Rick Staly.
Staly says Deputy Christopher Crego was following proper protocol as he raced off to a crash call.
FHP tells Action News they aren't sure how fast Crego had been going as he came down State Road 100 or at what force his cruiser ran into the back of 64-year-old Eduardo Pacheco's van. Pacheco died from his injuries.
"He was responding to an automobile crash with unknown injuries so if you don't know if someone is inured or not you try to get there a little quicker," Staly said.
He had lights and sirens on. But there is one agency policy Crego didn't abide by. FHP confirms he was not wearing a seat belt.
"Our policy does require that you wear your seat belt while driving a sheriff's vehicle," said Undersheriff Staly.
He says Crego will return to active duty once he recovers. But Action News pressed Staly on what the penalty is for the rule he was breaking.
"We would not pull somebody off the force for a seatbelt violation. We will take it as a learning opportunity, and if it does come that he violated our policy, then we will deal with that at the appropriate time."
Action News has also learned there was a second Flagler County deputy traveling behind Crego at the time of the crash. He was also responding to the initial call. He witnessed the crash. FHP says charges are possible.
We've learned Crego is a husband and has a 6-year-old son. The sheriff's office is pulling his file, but we are told at this point he does not appear to have any prior incidents on his record.
