Florida Tourist Hospitalized After Truck Runs Over Her Head on Daytona Beach

A 71-year-old woman from New York is recovering after an accident on Daytona Beach, where a truck ran over her head while she lounged in a beach chair. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Feb. 5, 2025, and is surprisingly not the first of its kind on this popular Florida beach.

Unaware Driver Hits Beachgoer

The accident happened near the Silver Beach Avenue beach ramp around 2:43 p.m. An 84-year-old woman driving a Chevrolet Colorado pulled out of a parking spot and immediately turned toward the beach exit. In doing so, police said she unknowingly struck the sunbather with the truck’s right rear tire, running over her head.

Witnesses quickly intervened, chasing down the driver to alert her of the accident. According to the Volusia Sheriff’s report, the driver said she had no idea she had hit anyone. Authorities confirmed she exhibited no signs of impairment and remained at the scene, fully cooperating with the investigation.

Victim Hospitalized but Stable

Despite the terrifying nature of the accident, the victim survived with non-life-threatening head injuries. Emergency responders transported her to Halifax Health Medical Center, where she was reported to be in stable condition.

While the woman’s name has not been released, the accident is drawing attention to the risks of vehicle access on Florida’s beaches.

A Troubling History of Similar Accidents

This is far from the first time a vehicle has struck someone on a Volusia County beach. Despite a 10 mph speed limit and other safety measures, similar incidents have occurred over the years, sparking debate over whether beach driving should be allowed at all.

On Memorial Day 2024, a Volusia County Beach Safety officer struck two 18-year-old women while driving a patrol truck on the sand, leaving one with serious injuries. In 2011, a Kansas woman sunbathing on Daytona Beach Shores suffered multiple broken bones after a lifeguard’s truck ran over her head. The county has also seen fatal accidents, including the deaths of two children in 2010.

With accidents continuing to occur, some are questioning whether Daytona Beach’s long tradition of beach driving should finally come to an end. Thankfully, the New York tourist is recovering, having avoided what could have been a far more tragic incident.

References: New York woman, 71, hospitalized after truck runs over her head on Daytona Beach | 71-year-old beachgoer injured after truck runs over her head in Daytona Beach | Beachgoer Injured But Stable After Truck Hits Her