Daytona Beach Hit-and-Run Leaves 24-Year-Old Dead

Justin Gary, a much loved 24-year-old from Daytona Beach, was riding his motorized bicycle home from his job at the Daytona Taproom last Saturday when he entered the westbound lanes of the Seabreeze Bridge.  Driving along the bridge’s shoulder, Gary was unaware that a Dodge pickup truck was veering around the road behind him, quickly approaching.  According to the report filed by the Daytona Beach Police Department, witnesses reported that the truck collided directly with the bicycle, inflicting massive damage on the bike and badly injuring Gary. Somehow, Gary was pinned to the truck, which proceeded to drag the young man for nearly 50 feet before releasing him.

The witnesses to the incident reported that, in addition to swerving erratically around the road, the driver of the truck was also traveling over the speed limit.  It is believed that the combination of factors indicate that the truck’s driver, a man identified as the 27-year-old Christopher Alan Whealen, was intoxicated at the time of the incident, although the Daytona Beach Police Department has yet to release a full statement regarding this hypothesis. Furthermore, when the police were finally able to identify Whealen as the suspect, they either chose not to or were unable to gain custody over him.  While charges against Whealen are pending, they are still awaiting the results of the investigation.

Family and friends of Justin Gary have drawn together in this bleak time to remember the young man together and celebrate his unusually influential and affirming life.  Money to help pay for the memorial services is being gathered by Gary’s boss from the Daytona Taproom.  In addition, a small collection of flowers and mementos has been gathered at the entrance to the taproom as people search for ways to endure the grieving process.

At the time of this writing, the investigation into Gary’s death is still underway, with the authorities trying to pinpoint exactly what happened as well as confirm that it was indeed Christopher Alan Whealen who caused Gary’s death in the first place.  Anyone with additional information regarding this Daytona Beach accident is encouraged to contact the Daytona Beach Police Department.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.