James C. Southerland Jr. is arrested on DUI charges on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was released on bond last weekend after his first apprance in court.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA. BEACH, Fla. -- Daytona Beach Police officers arrested a 22-year-old New Smyrna Beach mottorist following an investigation into a car crash eight days ago.
James Southerland was charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, and DUI causing damage to property or another person, all misdemeanors.
"Driving impaired puts everyone on our roadways at risk," Daytona Beach police said in a statement released in response to the DUI arrest to an all-too familiar crime. "If you plan to drink or use impairing substances, make arrangements for a safe ride before you get behind the wheel."
Here is a synopsis of what occurred at 2:15 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2026, according to Daytona Beach cops: Southerland crashed into a street sign, causing damage to the sign and his car, then fled the scene of the accident in his vehicle without reporting it.
"The defendant was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on a public roadway in Florida while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the extent where his normal faculties were impaired," police said in the arrest report.
Southerland's blood alcohol level was 0.161 or twice the limit for intoxication while driving in the State of Florida.
Cops responded to Ora Street/ North Atlantic Avenue in reference to the hit-and-run crash. Call notes indicated the driver fled to the intersection of North Ocean Avenue at North Atlantic Avenue.
Several eyewitnesses pointed out Southerland as the driver who had an argument with a hotel security officer after the crash.
The cop placed Southerland in handcuffs and began to deescalate the scene.
Two other cops spoke with severla witnesses witnessed the entire event:They observed a lime green car (Veh1 FL USU990) traveling north on North Atlantic approaching the intersection with Ora Street. The driver swerved out of his lane lane and onto the median where he struck a road sign, knocking it down.
Southerland then fled the scene and drove onto the Ocean walk Resort valet loop at 300 N. Atlantic Avenue). He then exited the driver's seat and said, "I'm fine," then got back behind the wheel and drove off to the intersection of North Ocean Avenue and North Atlantic Avenue. He then parked the car, and started jumping on the roof. He was then see repeatedly punching the car out of frustration, witnesses told police.
That's when Southerland got into an argument with a security guard before cops arrived.
Southerland admitted he had "two shots" from his friend's bottle in the past few hours, police said in their arrest report. He subsequently failed a field sobriety test, according to police. Southerland was then placed under arrest for drunk driving and several other related misdemeanors.
Multimedia video
Daytona Beach video of the crash scene and subsequent DUI arrest of James Southerland, 22, of New Smyrna Beach at the intersection of North Ocean and North Atlantic avenues in Daytona Beach, Florida.
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