NEW ROADS — A former Pointe Coupee Parish deputy who was working at the Louisiana State Penitentiary died in a car crash on Angola grounds on Wednesday, Sheriff René Thibodeaux said. 

Tyler Grezaffi, 27, was involved in a car crash where her vehicle went off the roadway and into a ditch full of water at Angola around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The sheriff said that she was on the clock when the crash happened, and that Department of Corrections officials tried to ping her location, drove by several times, but could not find her since she was off the road. According to Thibodeaux, DOC staff did not get out of the car to look for her. 

According to Sheriff Thibodeaux, authorities could not find her for around an hour. It was a Pointe Coupee Parish deputy who found her after he got out to look. 

WBRZ has asked the DOC for more information about the crash and the subsequent search for Grezaffi.

Grezaffi's father, Sgt. Scott Grezaffi, also worked at the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff's Office.

"Many of us have had the privilege of watching Tyler grow up over the years as she followed in her father’s footsteps and became part of our law enforcement family," Thibodeaux said on Facebook. "Tyler was a beautiful soul who brought light to everyone around her — both within our department and throughout the community. Her kindness, dedication, and bright spirit left a lasting impression on those who knew and worked alongside her."

Thibodeaux said the loss of Grezaffi is "deeply painful and impactful for our entire PCPSO family." 

"During this incredibly difficult time, we ask that you keep Sgt. Grezaffi, the Grezaffi family, and all who loved Tyler in your thoughts and prayers," he added.