Florida: Off-duty police officer dies after car plunges into canal

Off-duty Florida police officer Joshua Tyree Ballesteros passed away after his car plunged into a canal on Sunday. A GoFundMe that was set up by Ballesteros’ fiancée to raise funds for his funeral and his daughter stated that the officer was with the West Palm Beach Police Department at the time of his death. 

According to PEOPLE, emergency personnel responded to the scene before Ballesteros was brought to shore. He subsequently received CPR before he was taken to a hospital – but he was said to be in a critical condition at the time. He was later pronounced dead.

An investigation conducted at the scene established that Ballesteros’ 2017 Ford Fusion vehicle for “reasons unknown” veered off the road and “struck a guardrail before hitting a tree, rolling over, and landing in the canal upside down.”

Authorities said the road “shut down for several hours” during the investigation, adding that Ballesteros’ car was also “removed from the canal.”

In a statement, the president of the West Palm Beach Fraternal Order of Police, Adam Myers, said they were “deeply saddened” to learn about Ballesteros’ death which occurred “as the result of an off duty traffic crash.”

“May the Lord be with all those who love him and will suffer the void he leaves as they traverse this season of grief,” Myers, who also described Ballesteros as a colleague and friend, added.

Ballesteros studied public safety administration at Florida Atlantic University, PEOPLE reported. He was also on their football team’s roster. The GoFundMe stated that he joined the West Palm Beach Police Department in 2018 where he “served until his untimely passing.”

“Joshua embodied the essence of love and care as a devoted father, son, big brother, and role model. His selflessness knew no bounds, always prioritizing the well-being of others over his own,” Ballesteros’ fiancée, Glen’Tisha Johnson, stated in the GoFundMe.

“Every room he entered lit up with the warmth of his protective presence. His infectious smile and words of wisdom served as a balm to every weary soul he encountered, offering solace and comfort in times of need.”

Besides raising money for Ballesteros’ funeral, the campaign also stated that the GoFundMe would “most importantly create financial security for his daughter, Bobbi as a result of Joshua’s untimely death.”

Over $20,000 has since been raised of the $50,000 goal.