Joe Bialczak: Broward deputy injures vertebrae after struck by vehicle on I-95 in Lake Worth

LAKE WORTH, Fla. -- A Broward County Sheriff's Office deputy on his way to work was struck by a vehicle this morning in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 near 6th Avenue in Lake Worth.

Deputy Joe Bialczak, 50, is currently in fair condition after being hit while he was aiding Cristobal R. Castillo Leal of Pompano Beach, who was stuck in the third inside lane after crashing into the concrete median wall.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, Bialczak had parked his marked unit behind Leal's car, activated his emergency equipment and exited his vehicle.

He was standing next to the disabled vehicle when Luis Alberto Perilla of Hollywood lost control and struck the left side of Leal's vehicle and Bialczak.

Palm Beach Fire Rescue notified BSO dispatch at 5:45 a.m. that they were airlifting Bialczak, a 22-year veteran of the force, to Delray Medical Center via Trauma Hawk.

Bialczak was unconscious at first. He was considered to be in serious condition before he was taken to Delray with broken bones -- including a broken leg, fractured vertebrae and head injuries.

Perilla remained at the scene.

Traffic was backed up to 10th Avenue for a few hours. The 10th Avenue on-ramp was also temporarily shut down. All lanes have since been re-opened.

FHP officials are investigating the cause of the crash. Charges are pending.