HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — The sheriff of Citrus County struck and killed a pedestrian Wednesday night in Hernando County.
Investigators say Sheriff Mike Prendergast, 62, was driving his agency car northbound on US-19, south of Woodland Water Boulevard, in the outside lane, when a pedestrian walked into the car's path.
Prendergast struck and killed the pedestrian, later identified as Ronnie Heath, 59.
The sheriff's office said Prendergast has "cooperated fully" with a Florida Highway Patrol investigation, including a blood draw. The sheriff's office said alcohol was not a factor for Prendergast in this crash.
No charges have been filed.
The sheriff's office said in a statement, "our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the pedestrian during this difficult time."
Prendergast was elected sheriff of Citrus County in Nov. 2016. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs following his appointment by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet on June 22, 2011.
Prendergast is a Tampa native and served 31 years of active duty service as a Military Police Officer, with multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as assignments in Africa, Europe and Asia. He retired from active duty on October 1, 2009.
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