Officials: Volusia To Make Beach Patrol Changes

WFTV met with Volusia County officials on Monday after another lifeguard ran over a sunbather last weekend, and it's the third accident involving beach patrol in over a year.

WFTV learned there is a discussion about changing how the beach patrol operates. It includes considering getting new vehicles or making changes to beach patrol's existing trucks, by adding cameras in blind spots or taking the doors off to see, according to officials.

In Volusia County, there are 47 miles of beaches. Beach patrol officers and lifeguards patrol them each day, but how they do it could change very soon, according to officials.

"This will be a holistic look at what we can do to try and make the beach safe," said an official.

In a rare press conference from Volusia County administration, a spokesperson addressed last Sunday's accident where a part-time lifeguard ran over a Kansas woman's torso and head as she sunbathed in Daytona Beach Shores.

Twenty-one-year-old Tommy Moderie told troopers he was pulling over to pick up broken glass near the water, when he accidentally ran over the woman.

It's the third accident of its kind since last June when an officer ran over a woman's leg. Also, a few months ago, another officer ran over a college student's arm in Daytona Beach.

One of the key things the county said it will look at revamping are the half-ton Ford F-150 trucks driven by officers and lifeguards. In all of the accidents, beach patrol personnel said they couldn't see the sunbathers when turning out of the beach traffic lanes.

"Clearly, the type of vehicle has got to be considered," said an official.

The county said it will also reconsider the training ages of lifeguards they hire, and if they need to reduce the amount of vehicles. They'll even research how beaches are patrolled in California.

"All of those things cannot be answered today, but I can tell you that there isn't anything that is not on the table for consideration," said an official.

On Thursday, the Volusia County council will discuss how to move forward. The cost of making changes is a factor and the county said it's just too early to know what it will take to make the beach safer.

Previous Stories: August 1, 2011: FHP: Woman Run Over By Beach Patrol Truck