A Lakeland man is facing serious charges following a crash that injured a 3-year-old boy on a Volusia County beach Saturday afternoon.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident at approximately 4:14 p.m. near the University Boulevard beach access parking area. According to witnesses, the child was running from the ocean across traffic lanes when he darted in front of a Jeep and was struck at a low speed.
The child was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center as a trauma alert due to his age. He was later discharged with injuries that did not require surgery.
The driver of the Jeep, identified as 36-year-old Brock Winkler of Lakeland, remained at the scene. The crash investigation determined the child entered the traffic lane prior to being struck.
Witnesses reported that Winkler had been drinking before the crash, and a photo showed several empty beer cans left at the location where the vehicle had been parked.
Deputies conducted a DUI investigation and field sobriety exercises, establishing probable cause to charge Winkler with DUI with serious bodily injury. He also faces an additional charge for refusal to submit to DUI testing.
Winkler was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he remained in custody Sunday morning.
SOURCE: VOLUSIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
