A Glades County deputy was killed Thursday around 9:48 p.m. in Hendry County when the motorcycle he was operating apparently veered into the lane of an oncoming tractor-trailer.

A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) press release stated Deputy James Naso, 40, was operating a 2007 Honda motorcycle July 28 when the crash occurred on State Road 29, just north of County Road 832 (Keri Road).

According to the release the deputy was southbound on S.R. 29 when, for unknown reasons, he veered into the northbound lane and into the path of an oncoming 1995 Peterbuilt tractor-trailer driven by Jose Sanchez, 28, of LaBelle.

Mr. Sanchez swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the front left of the motorcycle struck the left side of the Peterbuilt, stated the report.

The impact redirected the Honda to the right and it began to overturn, stated the report. Deputy Naso, of LaBelle, was ejected from his motorcycle and he reportedly landed on the grassy shoulder on the west side of the highway.

The deputy’s motorcycle came to rest in a water-filled canal on the west side of the highway.

Mr. Sanchez, who was not injured, came to a controlled stop on the shoulder along the east side of the highway.

The accident remains under investigation, stated the report.

Deputy Naso had been with the Glades County Sheriff’s Office for nine years.