Beach-driving safety back in focus after weekend crash

A weekend crash on a Volusia County beach is drawing attention across the county after deputies said a 3-year-old boy was struck by a Jeep and the driver was later charged with DUI. For Edgewater residents, the incident is especially relevant because many local families regularly use county beaches to the north, and beach-driving conditions and safety remain a practical concern as spring crowds continue.

According to published reports, deputies responded around 4:14 p.m. Saturday near the University Boulevard beach access parking area. Investigators said the child ran from the ocean and across traffic lanes, darting in front of a Jeep that then hit him at low speed. The boy was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center as a trauma alert because of his age, but authorities later said he was discharged and did not require surgery.

What deputies say happened

The driver was identified as 36-year-old Brock Winkler of Lakeland. Authorities said he stayed at the scene during the investigation. Deputies determined the collision occurred after the child entered the traffic lane, but witnesses also reported that the driver had been drinking before the crash. Investigators were given a photo showing several empty beer cans near where the vehicle had been parked, according to the report.

After a DUI investigation and field sobriety exercises, deputies said they found probable cause to arrest Winkler on a charge of DUI with serious bodily injury. He also faces a refusal charge after declining a breath test, according to the published account. The case adds to ongoing debate around beach driving, pedestrian awareness, and the mix of vehicles, families, and heavy visitation on Volusia’s shoreline.

Why Edgewater readers may care

Although the crash did not happen in Edgewater, it has clear practical relevance for local readers who travel to county beaches for day trips, family outings, and seasonal events. The story is a reminder that beach traffic lanes are active roadways, even in recreational settings, and that children can move unpredictably near vehicles. It also highlights the legal and safety consequences when alcohol is suspected in a crash environment.

For families heading to the beach, the takeaway is straightforward: keep children close near driving lanes, stay alert around access points and parking areas, and remember that beach conditions can change quickly with crowds, vehicles, and limited reaction time. Volusia’s drivable beaches are a distinctive part of the county, but incidents like this show why they also require extra caution from both drivers and pedestrians.

The child’s release from the hospital is the most encouraging part of the update. Still, the arrest ensures the case will remain part of the county’s broader conversation about beach safety as the busy season continues.