TITUSVILLE, Florida – A Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputy died as a result of injuries he sustained in a crash with his marked patrol car and a semi truck on I-95 just after 5 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2018.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 26-year-old Leo Smith, Jr. of Orlando, Florida, was driving a semi-truck partially loaded with car parts southbound on I-95 in the center lane near mile marker 217 just north of State Road 50.

Meanwhile, the deputy was driving his 2013 Ford Taurus patrol car southbound on I-95 in the left lane.

The semi-truck suffered tire separation to its front, left tire which caused the semi-truck to pull to the left and into the direct path of the patrol car. The left, front of the patrol car then collided with the right, rear of the semi-truck.

The truck driver was not injured in the crash.

The deputy has been identified by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey as 32-year-old Field Training Officer Kevin Stanton.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash and alcohol was not a factor.

 Image credit: Florida 511 / FOX 35