ORANGE PARK, FL : Clay sheriff's deputy critically injured in crash at Orange Park Medical Center on Sunday, 19th August 2018

An on-duty Clay County sheriff’s deputy suffered life-threatening injuries Sunday in a collision that investigators say happened when a pickup truck towing a utility lawn trailer turned into the path of the officer’s motorcycle.

Ben Zirbel, a 12-year Sheriff’s Office veteran was in critical condition at Orange Park Medical Center, said Sgt. Keith Smith, a Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Smith was overcome with emotion as he described the crash as “severe and very critical.”

“Obviously it’s a tough time here for those of us of the Sheriff’s Office. But we’re strong and we’ve been through things before and when we’re faced with these kinds of things, we grow tighter ... We’re a big family,” Smith said as his voice cracked.

“What we need to do now is just pray for the family and pray for the officer,” Smith said.

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