Off-duty deputy hits-kills pedestrian

For the second time in the past thirty-days, the Florida Highway Patrol has reported a deputy sheriff involved in a serious collision in his patrol car — while driving off duty — this time, involving the death of a pedestrian.

Last night at about 10:30 p.m., FHP Crash Investigator Lt. R C Brown and Traffic Homicide Investigator Cpl. Wood, were called to the crash scene near the St. Johns County Fairgrounds on SR-207 — less than a mile south of Armstrong Road.

Daryl James Hayward, a 44 year-old black man who lived at 6080 Armstrong Road in Elkton, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 33 year-old St. Johns County deputy, Michael W. Butler, Jr., was traveling southbound on SR-207 in the left lane.

Hayward was attending to his disabled vehicle in the grass median when, investigators say, he stepped out onto the roadway and into the path of the oncoming patrol car. Troopers have not determined if alcohol played a role in Hayward’s death.

According to the FHP media release, Butler sustained about $3,000 in damage to the left front quarter panel of his 2006 Chevrolet Impala patrol vehicle when he struck Hayward. Butler was wearing his seatbelt, troopers said, and alcohol was not a factor. Hayward sustained no injuries in the collision.

St. Johns County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer, Sgt. Charles E. Mulligan, told Historic City News that Deputy Butler has been placed on administrative leave, with pay; however, his return to service date has not yet been determined.

No charges have been filed in this case; as troopers await the results of the District 23 Medical Examiner’s autopsy report.