Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: New Smyrna Beach Police deal with a five-car crash on the west end of the South Causeway bridge on Monday, March 31, 2025, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. LEFT: Close-up of the wrecked car on the South Causeway bridge. Two people were transported by helicopter to Daytona Beach Hospital as trauma alerts.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLA. -- A Volusia Sheriff's Office deputy tried to stop a car whose driver reportedly drove recklessly in New Smyrna Beach when the motorist sped over the West Causeway bridge Monday afternoon and collected four other cars when he lost control of his car, cops said.
Central Dispatch received a report at 1 p.m. of a reckless driver in the 7300 block of Turtlemound Road. A Volusia Sheriff's Office deputy located the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop near 3rd and South Peninsula avenues.
That's when the motorist fled and accelerated at a high speed toward the South Causeway bridge. The deputy deactivated his emergency lights and lost visual contact with the vehicle as it was crossing over the west side of the high-arching bridge.
Shortly thereafter, the fleeing vehicle crashed on the bridge near Magnolia Street. Police said at least five vehicles were involved in the crash.
Two individuals, including the driver who fled, were transported to Daytona Beach Hospital as trauma alerts. All others involved did not report any injuries. The bridge reopened about 5:30 p.m. after NSBPD conducted its crash investigation.
Names of those involved in the multi-vehicle wreck were not immediately released.
About the Headline Surfer Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008, which serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando via