Puerto Rico Officer Dies After Car Crash

Agent Marieli Santiago-Morales of the Puerto Rico Police Department died Wednesday from serious injuries sustained in a car accident on April 4.

A driver reportedly struck the patrol vehicle of Moralez-Santiago and her partner, Betsy Cruz-Santiago, when he became distracted by texting on his cell phone, according to Telemundo Puerto Rico . The 32-year-old agent was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle, reports Primera Hora . Cruz-Santiago was wearing a seat belt and, although also seriously injured in the crash, is currently in stable condition.

Morales-Santiago, a 14-year veteran of the Puerto Rico PD, was assigned to the Office of Training and Reform and the Division of Community Relations in Guayama. She is survived by her husband and three children.