VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – An Orlando couple was arrested on Tuesday over two years after a crash on I-95 seriously injured a pair of newlyweds, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the crash happened on the night of Sept. 12, 2021, on the entrance ramp from LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach.
In a release, investigators explained that a car was driving south from the ramp onto I-95, which is when it crashed into a truck on the highway.
The car fled the scene, but the truck driver and his wife — Christopher and Mary Coffey — were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, the release shows.
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While Mary Coffey’s injuries were non-life-threatening, Christopher Coffey died six days later, according to the release.
At the time, troopers said that the couple from Tennessee was on their honeymoon in Florida.
“He had just married his high school sweetheart. They had been dating on and off for about 10 years,” Christopher Coffey’s father told News 6.
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On Tuesday, troopers announced that they were able to determine the driver and passenger of the car that struck the truck. They were identified as 32-year-olds Megan and Jeffrey Brannan, respectively.
Both were taken into custody on Tuesday, troopers added.
Megan Brannan faces charges of leaving the scene of a fatal crash and leaving the scene of a crash involving serious injuries. She is held on bond of $75,000.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Brannan faces a charge of accessory after the fact. He is held on bond of $50,000.
The FHP is also reminding Florida residents about the consequences of leaving the scene of a crash. If involved in a crash, drivers are required to stay at the scene, call for help, and follow these steps:
- Make sure you and any passengers are okay. Remain calm.
- If possible, move to the side of the road. Remove your keys if you get out of your vehicle, move off the roadway, and stay in a safe area.
- Check on others involved. Call 911 if anyone might be injured or a vehicle is inoperable.
- If there are no injuries or major property damage, gather information. Get the name, driver’s license, insurance and tag information from the other driver(s). Take photos of the vehicles and information if you can’t write it down and then file a report online.
- Most importantly, always stay at the scene. Leaving the scene of a crash will only make matters worse. Staying at the scene will not only spare a driver significant legal penalties, but it may save a life.
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