DeSantis ‘Unforeseen Tragedy’ Revealed After Canceling Major Fundraiser

DeSantis’ ‘Unforeseen Tragedy’ Revealed: Member of Security Detail Died in Line of Duty: Report

Florida’s governor bailed on a Sunday evening headline appearance at a $25,000-per-plate N.Y. fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin.

Ron DeSantis returned to Florida after learning a member of his security detail died in a motor vehicle accident while responding to a crime scene.

The New York Post further reported:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Jose Perez was responding to a call in an unmarked cruiser on Aug. 2 when he was struck by Javier Sandoval, 35, in Miami.

Perez was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries and died on Aug. 20.

Sandoval was later arrested and hit with several charges, including DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.

“Today we mourn the tragic loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty,” Florida first lady Casey DeSantis wrote on Twitter ahead of the service Monday. “With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces & more than 30 years in law enforcement, he lived a valiant life serving our nation & state. The entire @fdlepio community is in our prayers.”

DeSantis was slated to headline a $25,000-a-plate fundraiser for Zeldin in Oyster Bay on Sunday night, an event the candidate’s reps said was expected to raise nearly $1 million.

Conservative commentator Dan Bongino filled in for DeSantis, sources said.

Zeldin told attendees that Perez was part of DeSantis’ security team and that he was returning to Florida to attend the service in his honor.

While unable to attend the evening event, DeSantis was in Deal, New Jersey, earlier in the day at the home of Jay Cayre, head of Midtown Equities, sources told The Post.

A spokesperson for Zeldin said DeSantis would return to New York at a later date for an event with the candidate.

Mr. Zeldin faces an uphill battle against the current governor, Democrat Kathy Hochul, who replaced Andrew Cuomo who resigned following allegations of sexual harassment.