FORKS — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department said it will conduct an internal investigation after a deputy crashed a patrol car into a ditch Wednesday night.
Sheriff Tony Hernandez said the investigation will determine if any action will be taken against Deputy Brandon M. Przygocki, who lost control of the 2010 Ford Expedition driving on U.S. Highway 101 in snow and slush 38 miles south of Forks at 8:40 p.m. Wednesday.
The State Patrol attributed the crash to Przygocki’s driving too fast for the conditions. He was not cited.
Action, if taken against the 23-year-old deputy, could range from a reprimand to termination, Hernandez said.
Traveled 155 feet in ditch
The patrol car, traveling south on U.S. Highway 101, crossed the northbound lane, left the shoulder and crashed into the ditch, where it traveled for some 155 feet before coming to rest against an embankment, State Patrol said Thursday.
Przygocki was not in pursuit of a suspect and was performing his normal patrol duties when the incident occurred, Hernandez said.
“The road was covered with slush, and he could not see the centerline and he went into a skid,” Hernandez said.
Przygocki, of Port Hadlock, has been a deputy for about a year and has been assigned to the west end of the county for the past two months, Hernandez said.
“Last year, the department drove around half a million miles,” Hernandez said. “With that level of driving, things happen, but historically, our record is pretty good.”
Przygocki remains on active duty, Hernandez said.
State Patrol spokeswoman Trooper Krista Hedstrom said law enforcement agencies generally do not issue citations to other officers while they are on duty, leaving any disciplinary action to the discretion of the agency employing the officer.
Could affect career
These investigations can have an adverse affect on an officer’s career, she said.
“Something like this goes into your permanent record,” Hedstrom said. “If you are up for another job, a reprimand in your file can determine whether you get that job or not.”
Hedstrom said citizens often complain when officers aren’t cited for traffic violations, but a reprimand represents a stricter punishment.
“I think most officers would rather get a ticket, pay it and move on than have it follow them around for the rest of their career,” she said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
