TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister provided an update on the conditions of two deputies hospitalized with serious injuries Thursday after being "ambushed" by a man the sheriff's office said they were trying to help.
Chronister tweeted a photo of him, Deputy Manny Santos and Santos' wife. He said Santos "has a bilateral break in his leg with extensive ligament damage and will require surgery." However, Chronister pointed out that both Santos and his wife were in "good spirits" and noted the great care they were receiving at Tampa General Hospital.
Chronister also provided an update on the condition of Corporal Carlos Brito, whose injuries were much more severe. He said Brito was awake and "surrounded by family."
The sheriff said surgeons are "doing everything they can" to save his leg, which was severely damaged in the attack.
"The outpouring of support for our deputies and HCSO family has been overwhelming," Chronister said on Twitter. "Thank you for the continued prayers and well wishes for their speedy recovery."
On Thursday morning, both Brito and Santos responded to a 911 call from 28-year-old Ralph Bouzy's mother. She said her son, who lives with her, was acting "irrational and violent," and she was in fear for her life.
Brito and Santos tried to make contact with Bouzy, who was sitting in his car in the Heather Lakes area home's driveway. After refusing to interact with deputies, Bouzy drove off.
He would soon return, however. This time, he was speeding back, according to the sheriff's office. Seconds after narrowly missing two other deputies, Chronister said Bouzy intentionally aimed his car toward Brito and Santos, ultimately hitting them and pushing them between his car and one of the deputy's marked SUVs.
Bouzy was tased and arrested by the other two deputies. He faces multiple charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.