VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said it is mourning the loss of a senior deputy who died after being struck by a van while riding a bicycle Sunday morning.
Deputies said Senior Deputy Frank Scofield, 58, lost his life after a driver failed to stop at the intersection of Tomoka Farms Road and Pioneer Trail, west of New Smyrna Beach.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood was extremely upset as he described what happened during a news conference Sunday.
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Fighting back tears, Chitwood said Scofield was killed doing what he loved.
“He was out there biking this morning, training to go up and do the 9/11 memorial ride Sept. 6-8 in New York,” said Chitwood.
He said Scofield was on Pioneer Trail around 7 a.m. when the driver of a white van hit him.
“The driver was doing 40 mph and went through the stop sign and hit Frank from behind,” he said.
Scofield suffered a head injury and never recovered.
Chitwood said, “It's a huge, huge loss for our community.”
The Florida Highway Patrol is handling the investigation and said charges are pending against the driver, a 75-year-old man.
“When I was at the scene, the driver was an older man, and his granddaughter was in the car,” said Chitwood.
Chitwood said Scofield had been a member of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for 22 years.
“The pride and joy of his life was being a marine deputy. He loved being out in the water,” Chitwood said. “He loved his boat and he loved nothing more than when I would ask him to take someone out on a ride-along.”
Scofield was also a family man.
“He was taking a ride before church. They were going to knock out their morning workout because he and his wife were going to Sunday services after,” Chitwood said.
FHP said it is continuing to investigate what happened.
WATCH LIVE: Volusia County sheriff discusses deputy killed in crash SundayWACTH LIVE: Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood gives more details about Senior Deputy Frank Scofield, 58, who lost his life after he was hit by a driver while riding his bicycle.
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Sunday, June 2, 2019
Frank Scofield was a great man and it was a privilege to work with him. He will never be forgotten. My heart and my prayers are with everyone who knew and loved this one-of-a-kind legend. pic.twitter.com/kTyN3grJf2
— Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) June 2, 2019
BREAKING: FHP on scene at Pioneer Trail, where we’re hearing a VCSO deputy lost his life this morning after a car hit him on his bicycle. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/2hjmi0NNlk
— Ashley Edlund (@AshleyEdlund) June 2, 2019
Our hearts are with the family and friends of Senior Deputy Scofield. Please join us in saying a prayer for them today and honoring the memory of a great deputy and a great man.
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) June 2, 2019
All of us who knew Frank will never forget him. He started his VCSO career in 1995 and became a legendary, widely respected veteran member of our Marine Unit.
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) June 2, 2019
Today, we lost one of the best.
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) June 2, 2019
Senior Deputy Frank Scofield, 58, lost his life this morning when a vehicle failed to stop at the intersection of Tomoka Farms Road and Pioneer Trail and hit Scofield on his bicycle.
Florida Highway Patrol is handling the crash investigation. pic.twitter.com/HjPM5dCLtt
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