Man dragged by pickup during apparent drug deal

DELTONA, Fla. — An 18-year-old man was dragged down a street by a pickup truck during an apparent drug deal, Deltona authorities said.

Witnesses told the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office they saw Tristan De Joy walking late Sunday afternoon to the end of Sonnet Court in Deltona near his home.  Witnesses said a pickup truck drove to the end of the street, where De Joy was, and drove off at a high rate of speed, with De Joy hanging onto the truck.

Authorities said De Joy lost his grip and tumbled to the street, sustaining critical injuries. As residents in the neighborhood called 911 to report the incident, the pickup truck kept on going and fled the scene, deputies said.

Authorities said De Joy was airlifted to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where he was pronounced dead.

Deputies said they learned that the incident stemmed from a planned drug transaction. Witnesses said that De Joy had been selling marijuana, and before he was taken to the hospital, deputies found a small digital scale in the pocket of his pants.

Deputies said they found the pickup truck and driver, but so far, no charges have been filed.

The incident remains under investigation.

WFTV