SWEETWATER, Fla. (AP) — An off-duty police officer has died after his motorcycle hit a guardrail on a South Florida highway.
City spokeswoman Michelle Hammontree-Garcia says strong winds may have contributed to the crash Sunday that killed Sweetwater Police Officer Bryan Marrero.
Hammontree-Garcia says Marrero's motorcycle hit a guardrail on Interstate 75, throwing him into the air. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Marrero was in his second year as a police officer. Hammontree-Garcia says Marrero was riding his personal motorcycle. Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Sweetwater Mayor Manuel Marono says Marrero was "a cop's cop" who worked on his days off to help other officers.
Marrero's mother worked for the chief of police until she died two years ago. His older brother also is a Sweetwater police officer.