VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 32-year-old motorcyclist was killed when a mini-bike pulled out in front of him in Deltona, and for the first time in Central Florida, authorities are considering criminal charges in such a case.
The crash occurred just after sunset at a local intersection, deputies said. A 17-year-old riding a mini-bike failed to yield, striking the motorcycle and killing Daniel Marino.
Marino’s brother, Matthew Marino, was driving two blocks ahead when he heard the collision.
“I looked in my rearview mirror, and at that point, I had seen his bike was down, and he wasn’t there. So I immediately stopped. And I got out, and I ran,” Matthew Marino said. “I was just begging God to please let my brother be okay. The entire time, I kept rubbing his shoulder. I said, ‘It’s going to be okay, Daniel. I’m right here.’”
Investigators said the teen stayed at the scene. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is reviewing whether charges are appropriate. If filed, it could be one of the first times in Central Florida that a rider of a mini-bike, e-bike, or dirt bike is held criminally responsible for someone’s death.
“It’s mixed emotions, man. It’s sad. We lost somebody behind it. That kid got to live that he killed somebody behind,” said Low, a member of the motorcycle club Marino belonged to. “You don’t know what’s gonna happen with that kid, right? It’s up to the law to decide. But, you know, for us, it’s hard because we lost a great friend. Mom lost a son. The brother lost a brother. We lost a brother. And now that family’s got to deal with that.”
The crash has heightened concern in Central Florida over mini-bikes and similar e-bikes, which can reach high speeds, aren’t designed for roadways, and remain largely unregulated. Deputies noted that the mini-bike involved in the crash did not have lights, and the streetlights at the intersection were not working.
“This entire area was pitch black. I mean, you really couldn’t see anything. The only thing you could really see was your headlights,” Matthew Marino said.
In the days since the crash, friends and family have set up a vigil at the site and created a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral costs.
“You know, I love you. And just know that I was there the entire time with you, man. One day, I’ll see you. I’ll see you again,” Matthew Marino said.