Rowan: Injured sergeant lost leg

Fellow Avon Park police officers were at Lakeland Regional Medical Center Wednesday night to support the family of Sgt. Jacob Bratten, 35, who was critically injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday while on his way to work, according to Cmdr. Mike Rowan.

Rowan confirmed Thursday that Bratten underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries.

Unfortunately, the sergeant's left leg was also removed, according to Rowan.

"He (Bratten) is certainly not out of the woods yet," he said. "He has a long road to haul. Right now, it is a touch and go game."

Bratten was ejected from his 2005 Jeep Wrangler after colliding with a 1990 Mazda Miata, driven by Bernice Nacrelli, 59, of Eagle Lake, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Nacrelli reportedly turned on to Lake Ruby Drive and pulled into the path of Bratten, who had a green light and the right-of-way.

Fellow Avon Park Officer Lawrence Schneider, 41, was also in the Jeep with Bratten. He was treated for a broken collarbone and released, the PCSO said. Nacrelli suffered minor injuries in the crash.

There was no indication whether the victims were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. Deputies are still investigating the crash and charges will not be filed until that investigation is complete.

Avon Park Police Chief Matt Doughney, in a voicemail message, asked the public to keep Bratten, as well as Schneider, in their thoughts and prayers.

"The Avon Park family is praying for him," Doughney said.

Tuesday's crash was the latest blow to the Avon Park Police Department, which has seen its share of bad luck over the past 16 months.

In that time, three former officers were arrested on various criminal charges. Two of them - Alberto Perez and Adam Willis - have since entered plea deals on counts of police misconduct.

The third - James Parker - is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse in connection with the death of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short in May 2009. He is due back in court on March 18 for a pretrial conference.

On Christmas Day 2008, Sgt. Marc Wilbur died while in the line of duty. Then in April of last year, Officer Nathan Coogan missed a substantial amount of work after being involved in a traffic crash while responding to a silent hold-up alarm.

Doughney said the troubles are tough and again asked for the community's prayers as they deal with this latest hardship.

"We've gone through our struggles and we'll come through this one too," he said.