The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a Suwannee County man accused of hitting and killing an off-duty deputy on State Road 51 just south of Live Oak on Saturday night.

According to an FHP report, Pedro Terrero Leyva, 53, was driving north in his 2008 Nissan Altima sedan just after 10 p.m. when he rear-ended Deputy Gary Lee Edwards, 43, in his personal pickup truck.

Troopers said Edwards lost control of his 1994 Ford Ranger and hit a utility pole. Edwards was taken to Shands-UF Medical Center in Gainesville, where he died.

According to the report, Leyva was not injured. He was charged with DUI manslaughter, having an open container and careless driving.

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Edwards was a resource officer at Suwannee County Middle School and was recently named employee of the year by the school district.

Edwards leaves behind a wife and two daughters, one in middle school and one in college.

Sheriff Tony Cameron said Edwards was a good man, well-known in the community and was very active with the Police Athletic League. He said Edwards always acted as a friend, not just an employee.

"That's just how he was," Cameron said. "He was one of those guys that you could count on all the time. Whatever he's involved in, he's involved in."

Students at the school wrote messages Monday to the man who they remember always lent a helping hand in the hallways.

"He was just great. Every time I saw him, he had a smile on his face," said Ty'eisha Williams, who is a cheerleader with Edwards' sixth-grade daughter.

Jadames Gardner, whom Edwards coached in football, basketball and baseball at the Police Athletic League, said losing Edwards is like losing a father.

"He encouraged us to get better every day. That was his motto, to get better, get better, get better, and that's what we'll do -- get better," Gardner said.

Those at the school said Edwards will be hard to replace, and he will never be forgotten.

"He's just known in the community, respected, and he was outstanding and people recognized it," Suwannee County Middle School Principal Norri Steele said. "We miss him now. We will miss him later, and it just breaks our hearts."