Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
September 6, 2016 6:04 p.m.
Driving in a “careless or negligent manner” and suspected “alcohol use” are cited in a Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Police Report filed after an accident at Peter’s Point on Sunday at approximately 5:00 a.m. The driver of the vehicle, Phillip Edward Bunch age 46 from Fernandina Beach, was transported from the scene in critical condition. None of the three occupants were wearing seat belts, causing two of the three occupants to be partially ejected from the vehicle.
According to the report, the “extent of injuries” prevented the officer on the scene from interviewing the driver and performing drug and alcohol testing.
A witness to the incident observed the vehicle, “doing doughtnuts” in the sand, and causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled over “at least three times.”
The speed was estimated at 25 mph. Earlier unconfirmed reports incorrectly estimated the speed at 60 mph.
Excessive alcohol is suspected since consumed and partially consumed beer was found in the vehicle.
The police report listed conditions in the area at the time of the accident as dark and cloudy.
Other passengers in the vehicle were Fernandina Beach residents Temple Christina Bryant, and Bobby Jack Hernandez.
Criminal charges are pending since the officer awaits a subpoena to be issued to allow a blood test, and following an interview with the occupants.
I have long advocated closing Peter’s Park Beach Access at a reasonable time, say 10:30/11pm, leaving the parking lot open, just putting a gate across the beach access road, and opening it by 6:30am each day. This would solve a lot of problems and seems to me would make everyone happy. Well, it probably wouldn’t make the citizens who like to go down there at night and raise cane very happy. It would relieve the danger these wild actions with vehicles pose to the Sea Turtles who need the safe access to that beach much of the summer and early Fall. I am not advocating closing the park only the beach driving at night.
Sandra, a sound recommendation. Sadly, so reasonable it is unlikely to be implemented although I would prefer a midnight to 6 closure. While not that frequent there have been a number of times when I have been on a nightly beach walk and had to walk out in the water to get away from reckless drivers. I have seen NCSO officers down there from time to time in the evening but very infrequent and they park by the access road so anyone coming down knows to be on their best driving behavior.
Prayers for Mr. Bunch for a complete recovery.
I concur with leaving the parking lot open… gate off the beach driving after dark as it is a threat to people and turtles.
You can’t regulate stupidity, but there’s no reason to be driving on the beach late at night/early in the morning. A gate is probably the only way to prohibit driving during off hours.