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Off-duty deputy cut with knife following road rage incident in St. Cloud, police say

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Published  December 16, 2024 4:14pm EST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 35 Orlando

The Brief

    • The Osceola County Sheriff's Office say an off-duty deputy was cut with a knife following a two-car road rage incident Monday afternoon.
    • The off-duty deputy detained the other driver, who now has been identified as 32-year-old Daniel Siekawitch, until the police arrived, officials say.
    • Deputies report Siekawitch has been arrested and is being charged with Aggravated Battery.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - An off-duty Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy was cut with a knife during an apparent road rage incident Monday afternoon in St. Cloud, according to an Osceola County Sheriff's Office report.

Officials state the incident occurred around 12:40 p.m. at 13th Street and Connecticut Avenue.

The reports shows that 32-year-old Daniel Siekawitch and his wife, Lifei, were driving westbound in the center lane on East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway approaching the intersection of the road with Crawford Avenue, when a silver pickup truck, being driven by the off-duty deputy, pulled out into the lane directly in front of them. 

Siekawitch had to brake in his white Tesla sedan to avoid hitting the truck, officials say. 

The sheriff's report states the vehicles became engaged in road rage before Siekawitch pulled into the parking lot of Stylish Pawz at 1700 13th St.

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Police say the off-duty deputy followed Siekawitch, parked near him and began to approach the Tesla. 

Siekawitch exited his car with the knife and charged the off-duty deputy as he approached, the sheriff's office says. 

Sheriff's say Siekawitch cut the off-duty deputy with the knife on the left shoulder, which is when the off-duty deputy pulled out his concealed handgun and identified himself as law enforcement. 

The deputy then called the St. Cloud Police Department to report the incident, the report shows. 

Siekawitch dropped the knife and stayed at the scene until officers arrived, police say. Officials state the deputy's wound was minor and treated on-scene.

Although Lifei Siekawitch's account of the incident matched her husband's, police say the off-duty officer's was different.

The report shows the off-duty deputy says he approached the Tesla to discuss the incident and to apologize to Siekawitch for pulling out in front of him. However, Siekawitch says he felt threatened by the off-duty officer's actions, according to the report. 

Officials say Siekawitch has been arrested and is being charged with Aggravated Battery.

This is a developing story. Check back soon for more updates. 

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The Source: The information in this article comes from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office and was shared with FOX 35 News.

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