LECANTO, Fla. — A Citrus County deputy hit by a driver over a week ago near Lecanto High remains in critical condition but is said to be OK, an update from the sheriff's office explains Monday.
Deputy Andy Lahera had a good Sunday with the external ventricular device, which is a drain, removed in the morning, according to the agency. His vitals also continue to look good.
"Andy had a good day yesterday. More importantly, he no longer has a high fever," Sheriff Mike Prendergast said in a statement. "The team of medical care professionals remains attentive to Andy's every need.
"The family greatly appreciates our community's steady outpouring of love for Andy."
The Florida Deputy Sheriff's Association launched a GoFundMe page for the Lahera family and kicked it off with a $1,000 donation. More than $14,000 has already been raised with a total goal of $20,000.
Anyone interested in donating to the Lahera family can click here.
"Thank you to our community for your unwavering support," the agency wrote in the update.
The accident happened just after 9 p.m. on May 23 at the intersection of South Lecanto Highway and Saunders Way in Lecanto near the high school. Lahera was directing traffic at the time when a driver hit him.
He immediately received life-saving measures before being rushed to the hospital via a helicopter. The sheriff's office said he suffered multiple broken bones, fractures, abrasions and internal injuries as a result of the crash.
Lahera has been working with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office for 14 years and has been a school resource deputy since 2018 with his current assignment at Lecanto Middle School.
10 Tampa Bay's Claire Farrow contributed to this report.