An Ironman race in Jacksonville, Florida, was interrupted when a driver entered sections of the event course and refused repeated orders to stop, according to police. Authorities say the incident unfolded in front of athletes, spectators, and officers assigned to protect the event.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released dashcam footage showing officers pursuing the vehicle as it moved through portions of the race route. The video was posted by the department and details the actions taken to bring the situation to an end.
Police identified the driver as 62-year-old Darrell Simon. Investigators say he now faces eight felony charges along with multiple misdemeanor charges and traffic violations.
Authorities said no athletes, spectators, officers, or bystanders were injured during the incident. Officers credited coordinated police action with preventing injuries during the race.
Driver Enters Active Race Course
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on May 16 while Ironman Jacksonville competitors were participating in the race’s marathon segment. Officers had been stationed along the route to block traffic and maintain separation between participants and vehicle traffic.
Officer Ernesto Valerio of the department’s Specialized Traffic Unit was assigned to traffic control duties when reports began coming over police radio concerning a vehicle entering portions of both the cycling and running courses.
Police said the driver continued moving through areas reserved for race participants, creating a hazard for athletes and spectators. Authorities stated that the vehicle passed through sections of the course several times despite police efforts to intervene.
Dashcam footage released by the sheriff’s office shows officers attempting to stop the vehicle while race participants continued along the route. Investigators said the driver’s actions placed people participating in and attending the event in danger.
Dashcam Captures Pursuit Through Jacksonville
The video released by police documents multiple attempts to stop the vehicle. According to investigators, Officer Valerio caught up with the driver and repeatedly attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
Authorities said the driver refused to comply and continued traveling through Jacksonville’s Riverside area. The pursuit moved through streets near portions of the race route as officers worked to prevent the vehicle from returning to areas occupied by athletes.
The sheriff’s office highlighted the actions of Motor Unit Officer Aaron Sanchez, whose motorcycle appears in portions of the footage. Police said Sanchez positioned himself in an effort to stop the vehicle despite the risk involved.
The dashcam video also captures moments in which the vehicle moved close to race participants. Investigators said officers remained focused on preventing contact between the vehicle and people along the course.
Pit Maneuver Ends Incident
The pursuit came to an end near the intersection of Riverside Park Place and Park Street. Police said Officer Valerio used a Precision Immobilization Technique, commonly known as a PIT maneuver, to stop the vehicle.
Following the maneuver, officers surrounded the car and took the driver into custody. Additional officers assisted with the arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities said the operation ended without injuries. The successful conclusion of the pursuit allowed race activities to continue without further interference. Police later transported Simon for processing and initiated criminal proceedings connected to the incident.
Charges Filed Against Driver
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Simon was arrested on eight felony charges in addition to nearly a dozen misdemeanor charges and violations. Authorities have not indicated that any injuries resulted from the incident.
Investigators also disclosed that this arrest marked Simon’s third DUI arrest within the last decade. Court proceedings are expected to determine how the charges will be resolved.
In a statement accompanying the dashcam release, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office praised the officers involved in the response. The department said their actions prevented a situation that could have resulted in injuries among athletes and spectators gathered for one of the city’s largest endurance events.
The video, released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, provides a detailed look at the pursuit and arrest, documenting the efforts officers say were necessary to stop a driver who entered an active racecourse and refused repeated commands to pull over.