Daytona Beach, Florida — A quiet afternoon at Daytona Beach turned alarming when a 3-year-old boy was hit by a Jeep near a beach access point, leaving him hospitalized and raising serious concerns about impaired driving in public areas.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened around 4:14 p.m. on Saturday near the University Boulevard beach access. Deputies responded quickly after receiving a 911 call reporting that a child had been struck by a vehicle.
Authorities say the young boy had been running away from the ocean when he suddenly darted into the path of a Jeep. Witnesses at the scene described the vehicle moving at a low speed when the collision occurred. The driver, identified as Brock Adam Winkler, stayed at the scene as emergency responders arrived.
The child was rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center as a trauma alert due to his age. Doctors later confirmed he suffered a concussion and a hairline fracture in his cervical spine. Fortunately, he did not require surgery and was later discharged, offering some relief after what could have been a far more tragic outcome.
While the initial investigation indicated the crash itself occurred because the child ran into the traffic lane, the situation took a more serious turn when multiple witnesses reported that the driver had been drinking before the incident. Deputies at the scene also noted the presence of several empty beer cans near where the Jeep had been parked.
Investigators observed what they described as unusual behavior from Winkler, including rapid emotional changes and actions that raised suspicion. Field sobriety tests were conducted, and deputies determined there was probable cause to arrest him. He was later charged with driving under the influence causing serious bodily injury and refusing to submit to a breath test.
Authorities also revealed that Winkler was already on pretrial release related to a separate burglary case in Polk County at the time of the incident, adding another layer of concern to the situation.
He is currently being held at the Volusia County Jail on an $11,000 bond, and further court proceedings are expected.
The case has sparked renewed attention around safety on busy beaches like Daytona, where vehicles and pedestrians often share space. Officials continue to investigate the incident as the community reflects on how quickly a normal day can take a dangerous turn.
