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Sheriff killed in accident wasn't wearing seat belt

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 3, 2006

TAVARES - The Lake County sheriff killed during a charity school bus race was not wearing his seat belt, even though it was intact and functional, authorities said.

An examination also found that there were no drugs or alcohol in Chris Daniels' system during the annual "Battle of the Badges" event on Oct. 14, Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Miller said Wednesday.

Authorities are still investigating whether any of the current or former police and sheriff's heads competing in the race drove recklessly.

"We have not ... completed the investigation," Miller said.

Daniels, 47, was thrown from his bus during an event to raise money for Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. He was run over by his own bus and then the bus driven by Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger. Daniels died at the scene.

A report released this week by the patrol said the windshield on Daniels' bus was covered with paint. Fellow participants said some of the buses were not safe and should not have been on the track, according to the report.

Track officials have said that all of the vehicles were inspected before the race.

[Last modified November 3, 2006, 00:25:36]