Pedestrian killed by deputy cruiser identified

The name of a woman hit and killed Monday by a Brevard County deputy has been released.Florida Highway Patrol investigators say 65-year-old Henrietta Strong stepped out in front of the deputy's cruiser on state Road 520 in Cocoa when she was hit and killed.

The wreck still remains under investigation.There is no crosswalk at the junction of S.R. 520 and Wilson Avenue.The report says Deputy Vincent Marino-Vitane was driving eastbound in the left-hand lane when Strong was hit.

"I would say he was minding his own business and somehow she probably stepped into traffic, said Junior Brown, business owner.Brown's auto shop has operated on S.R. 520 for 35 years. He's seen lots of crashes and traffic.He didn't hear Monday's accident, but he believes any car driving at the time could have hit her."Twenty years of service. I would think he's a careful driver after working and investigating accidents, Brown said.

Investigators say 20-year veteran Deputy Marino-Vitane headed to work at East Precinct in Merritt Island at 5:45 a.m. He was scheduled to be on shift at 6 a.m.He was less than 2 miles away from the Bennett Causeway in Cocoa, where the precint's line begins.That part of S.R. 520 sees nearly 26,000 cars daily.It also sees many pedestrians and consistent bicyclists.There are several traffic lights and crosswalks, but there are none at the intersection of Wilson Avenue where the victim was struck.
Deputy Marino-Vitane was not hurt. He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of investigation