Critically injured deputy moved from trauma center to hospital

"I am at the hospital with Deputy Lahera and his wife, along with Colonel Vitt, Captain Spiddle, and Sergeant Holloway," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "His wife has asked me to tell all of you that Andy has had a very good week, thus far. In fact, Andy continues to be fever free and is still breathing on his own. Most importantly, Andy's progress led the doctors to approve his move from the trauma center (Emergency and Trauma Center at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida)
to a local area hospital to more aggressively work on Andy's physical and occupational therapy. They were welcomed with open arms by the team at the new hospital, when Andy arrived. His wife is very excited about how caring and attentive to Andy's every need this new hospital staff is, and she is very happy about the faith-based support that this hospital provides to every patient, especially Andy."

"Andy, however, is still not awake, due to the trauma from the accident," continued Sheriff Prendergast. "The family asks for your continued prayers for Andy to wake up and for his brain to recover. So, before you go to bed tonight, please take a moment to think about Andy and say a prayer for him as his journey to recovery continues."

The Florida Deputy Sheriff's Association launched a GoFundMe for the Lahera family with a $1,000 donation. You can make a donation to the Lahera family at this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/florida-deputy-sheriffs-assn-fund-for-Lahera?fbclid=IwAR1gZWw3dDOjgzSppAcMsTf14UBI_7MVpcZsgiK5OIOnsAcb9Qj3Cxk6LdE.

If you would like to send a card (no money or flowers, please) to Deputy Lahera, please mail or drop it off to the CCSO Headquarters:
       Citrus County Sheriff's Office
       ATTN: Deputy Andy Lahera
       1 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
       Inverness, FL 34450.

Deputy Lahera, a 14-year law enforcement veteran, was a School Resource Deputy at Lecanto Middle School prior to his injuries, that occurred at 9:05 pm, Tuesday evening, May 23, 2023, when he was struck by a vehicle while he and other deputies were directing traffic following the Lecanto High School graduation ceremony. His injuries included numerous broken bones, abrasions, and internal injuries. He was flown by helicopter to the trauma center. He's been hospitalized since the accident, still in critical condition.