A devastating late-night crash on August 1 changed the lives of two off-duty deputies from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, turning an ordinary roadside moment into a life-altering emergency.
Lucas and Nicole Shoffner, a married couple who both serve as deputies, were reportedly on the side of the road trying to repair a dirt bike when the accident happened. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the couple was struck by a vehicle while they were outside and vulnerable near the roadway.
The crash occurred at approximately 11:17 p.m., a time when visibility can be limited and roadside situations can quickly become dangerous. Authorities identified the driver as 31-year-old Raymond Surber, who is also a law enforcement officer with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. Surber was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado at the time of the crash.
In the terrifying seconds before impact, Deputy Lucas Shoffner reportedly acted with instinctive courage. Realizing the danger, he pushed his wife, Nicole, out of the path of the oncoming vehicle, a split-second decision that may have saved her life. His actions have since been described as heroic, showing the kind of selflessness and protection that often defines those who serve both in uniform and at home.
The impact left the couple facing serious consequences, and what began as a simple attempt to fix a dirt bike became a tragedy that deeply affected their family, their department, and the larger law enforcement community. Fellow deputies, friends, and community members have rallied around the Shoffners, offering prayers, support, and encouragement as they begin the difficult road ahead.
The incident is also a sobering reminder of how dangerous roadside situations can be, especially at night. Even routine stops, repairs, or unexpected mechanical problems can become life-threatening when vehicles are passing nearby. Officials often urge drivers to slow down, stay alert, and move over whenever they see people, emergency vehicles, or disabled vehicles on the side of the road.
For Lucas and Nicole Shoffner, the crash was more than an accident. It was a moment that tested love, courage, and survival in the most frightening way. Lucas’s quick reaction to protect his wife has become a powerful part of the story, showing that heroism is not always planned. Sometimes, it happens in a single desperate moment, when one person chooses another’s safety before their own.
As the investigation continues, the community remains focused on supporting the Shoffners and hoping for healing after a night that changed everything.
