Delray Beach police officer dies after off-duty motor scooter crash

Christine Braswell killed, Bernenda Marc injured in Key West crash

MIAMI – A Delray Beach police officer was killed and another officer was critically injured in a motor scooter crash in Key West.

Officer Christine Braswell, 40, died Saturday night at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, the Delray Beach Police Department announced Sunday in a Facebook post.

Braswell and fellow Officer Bernenda Marc, 25, were on vacation and riding the motor scooter when they were struck by an oncoming vehicle, police said.

Key West police spokeswoman Alyson Crean said Lacy Morris, 31, made a turn into a Dion's convenience store on Truman Avenue near White Street when her vehicle collided with the scooter.

Braswell was airlifted to Jackson Memorial’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she died while surrounded by family and friends.

Delray Beach police Officer Bernenda Marc was critically injured in a motor scooter crash in Key West.

Marc was flown to Jackson South Community Hospital, where she is recovering from critical injuries, police said.

Braswell was hired by the Delray Beach Police Department in 2005 and was a SWAT sniper.

"She shared her passion for law enforcement as a field training officer for new officers, as a police academy instructor at Broward College and as a mentor for the Delray Beach Police Explorers," the Facebook post said. "We will all miss her bright smile, jovial personality and how hard she loved and cared for all of those who had the privilege to know her."

Delray Beach Police Chief Jeffrey Goldman said in an email to Local 10 News that Braswell's death is "devastating" to his department.

"We will lean on each other and get through this," Goldman wrote. "I am truly heartbroken. Officer Braswell was an amazing person and will be greatly missed."

Key West police are investigating the crash.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.