Drunk Driver Plows Through IRONMAN Course As Police End Dangerous Chase In Jacksonville

A 62-year-old suspected drunk driver drove through the IRONMAN Jacksonville race on May 16, narrowly missing athletes before police ended the pursuit using a PIT maneuver near Five Points.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released dash cam video showing the incident as officers worked to secure the race route while athletes completed a 26.2-mile run.

According to authorities, Officer Ernesto Valerio was blocking traffic for competitors when he was alerted over radio that a driver, later identified as Darrell Simon, had entered both the cycling and running sections of the course.

Video shows Valerio attempting multiple traffic stops as the vehicle continued moving through the race area, coming dangerously close to participants on several occasions.

Another officer, identified by JSO as Aaron Sanchez, was seen positioning his motorcycle in an effort to halt the vehicle, but the driver managed to drive around him and continue forward.

In the recording, Valerio can be heard saying, “We got to stop this guy. He’s going to kill someone.”

The pursuit ended when Valerio executed a PIT maneuver at the intersection of Riverside Park Place and Park Street, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

Other officers quickly moved in and took Simon into custody.

He was charged with eight felony offenses, along with nearly a dozen misdemeanors and traffic violations. Authorities also stated this was his third DUI arrest within the past decade.

Despite the dangerous situation, no athletes or spectators were reported injured during the incident.