DAYTONA BEACH SHORES -- A 33-year-old female beach visitor from Witchita, Kansas, was hospitalized in stable condition this afternoon after being struck earlier in the day Sunday by a vehicle while sunbathing on the beach in the 3300 block of Daytona Beach Shores. The driver of the vehicle was Tommy Moderie, 21, a part-time Volusia County lifeguard.
Moderie was driving in the northbound driving lane of the beach when he was alerted by a beachgoer of broken glass at the water’s edge.
"In response, Moderie made a right turn and struck the female who was laying on her stomach on the beach east of the driving lane," Volusia County spokesman Dave Byron said in an e-mail NSBNews.net and other media outlets.
Erin Joynt, she was struck with the right front wheel of the county-issued truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The victim was transported to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach by EVAC ambulance following the accident which occurred at 10:04 a.m. Her husband was with her at the time of the accident.
Moderie, a seasonal employee, has "worked for the county off and on for about five years and has a spotless record," Byron added in his media e-mail.
The official accident investigation is being handled by the Florida Highway Patrol. Volusia County Government will conduct a separate investigation, and Moderie will be drug tested and sent home at least for the day, which is standard protocol, Byron added.
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