DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. – Volusia County is exploring safety measures for its beach ramps following a deadly crash in which deputies say a drunk driver sped through the Dunlawton Beach approach, struck the tollbooth and killed the toll attendant before driving into the ocean.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and county officials tested different barrier options at the Dunlawton Beach Approach on Thursday as a short-term solution while the county evaluates safety at all of its beach ramps.
Beachgoers and residents say they were relieved to see action being taken.
“It’s probably necessary but it shouldn’t have to be like that,” said beachgoer Roger Lang.
[RELATED: Watch bodycam footage of the driver’s arrest below]
“Before Monday, you really didn’t think it was necessary but now, just by looking at the ramp, you can see how somebody coming down not paying attention, how the accident can happen,” said resident Greg Lezanic.
Surveillance video from Monday shows a black pickup truck speeding down the beach ramp and destroying the tollbooth, killing the toll attendant inside. The driver then continued into the ocean.
This is not the first time a crash like this has occurred at a Volusia County beach ramp. In 2022, a driver sped through the International Speedway Boulevard beach ramp and drove into the ocean. Four people were injured, including a 5-year-old who was struck.
The tollbooth was destroyed, though no one was working inside at the time. That driver had suffered a medical episode.
[RELATED: Driver arrested in deadly Daytona Beach Shores toll booth crash]
County spokesperson Clayton Jackson said the measures being tested are not permanent.
“What you see behind us is not set in stone, this is not the final solution. We’re just starting to explore this,” Jackson said.
Jackson said orange barricades currently in place are temporary, with the county planning to test different options in the days ahead.
“Throughout the week you may see first responder vehicles or ambulances come through here, that’s just going to be to see whatever potential measures may be put into play that those vehicles are able to get to and from the beach safely,” Jackson said.
The county says it is focused on the Dunlawton ramp for now and will then evaluate additional ramps, noting safety solutions will not be one-size-fits-all given the varying shapes of each approach.
The Dunlawton Beach Approach is not expected to reopen until at least next week.
[RELATED: Family remembers Daytona Beach Shores toll booth worker killed in crash]