At approximately 7:20 am today, Deputy Frank Santiago was involved in a traffic crash on Malabar Road and Corey Road in Malabar, Brevard County, FL.

Initial witness information indicates that 61 year old, John A Caudill, was operating a motorized bicycle east on Malabar Road when he made an unexpected left turn into the path of a motorcycle being operated by a deputy sheriff, who was also traveling east on Malabar Road.

Deputy Santiago received non-life threatening injuries to his left arm and was transported to Holmes hospital.

Mr. Caudill received injuries to his legs as well as scrapes from the road. Mr. Caudill was transported to Holmes hospital with what initially appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.  However, while at the hospital, Mr. Caudill suffered a suspected cardiac event and has passed away.

Deputy Frank Santiago has been employed by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office for the past 14 years.  He has been assigned to the Motor Unit for the past six years and has been a motorcycle instructor for the past five years.

This past weekend Deputy Santiago participated in the Space Coast Police Motorcycle Training and Safety Trials, which was held in Brevard County.  This event draws police motorcycle teams from around the state of Florida, with more than 40 riders participating.  Deputy Santiago received an individual first place in his division as well as an overall first place in the team event.

Sheriff Jack Parker stated, “First and foremost, our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Caudill during this difficult time.  It appears from everything we know to this point, the incident occurred so quickly, there was nothing Deputy Santiago could do to avoid the collision.  Frank is one of our finest deputies and is highly thought of as being one of the most skilled motorcycle officers in the state.  If anyone could have avoided the collision, it would have been Frank.”