During an official trip to Florida regarding the coronavirus outbreak, a sheriff’s deputy with Vice President Mike Pence’s motorcade was involved in a highway crash and has since been hospitalized.
According to Ryan Beene of Bloomberg News, a motorcycle officer assigned to the vice president’s motorcade crashed on the I-95 highway, but no other people are believed to have sustained injuries.
“Scary moment in [the vice president’s] motorcade in Florida. A motorcycle officer detailed to the motorcade crashed on I-95. All others OK. Thankfully, the officer was found to be conscious after the crash and has been transported to a hospital, Pence’s team says. Send some good vibes his way,” said Beene.
Scary moment in @VP’s motorcade in Florida. A motorcycle officer detailed to the motorcade crashed on I-95. All others OK. Thankfully, the officer was found to be conscious after the crash and has been transported to a hospital, Pence’s team says. Send some good vibes his way.
— Ryan Beene (@RyanBBeene) March 7, 2020
The officer’s condition is currently unknown, and no other details have been reported at this time.
In a statement on Twitter after the incident, Pence offered prayers for the injured officer and thanked all of the officers that work to keep him safe.
“We are praying for the Sheriff’s Deputy and his family. We are grateful to everyone in the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office for all they do to keep us safe,” said Pence.
We are praying for the Sheriff’s Deputy and his family. We are grateful to everyone in the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office for all they do to keep us safe. https://t.co/3Ntd1DZcZM
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) March 7, 2020
Pence, who has been assigned by the president to lead the coronavirus task force, tweeted Saturday morning that he was traveling to Florida to discuss safety measures for cruise lines with industry executives.
“Heading to Florida for a briefing with cruise line executives and port directors,” said Pence. “We will be discussing what additional measures our cruise lines should take to ensure the health and safety of the American public.”
According to NBC News, Pence announced Friday that 21 people on the Grand Princess cruise ship, which is currently quarantined off the coast of California, had tested positive for coronavirus. The ship has 3500 passengers on board, and 19 of the 21 people who tested positive are crew members.
“Those who need to be quarantined will be quarantined. Those who require additional medical attention will receive it,” said Pence during a press conference.
According to Market Watch, cruise lines have been unloading a host of bargain packages on the public to compensate for bad press related to the coronavirus outbreak, which notoriously resulted in entire ships being quarantined.
“The biggest threats to those contemplating a cruise are the prospect of being quarantined on a vessel should a port refuse to allow the ship to dock and, of course, someone aboard testing positive and the virus spreading among crew members and passengers,” reports the news agency.