NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A New York man was arrested after he ignored a closed gate and "DO NOT ENTER" sign to drive his truck along the beach and into the ocean, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said. And, his actions were caught on camera.
It all happened Tuesday morning in New Smyrna Beach. Deputies say 49-year-old Jason Brzuszkiewicz of Bridgeport, New York, went down to the beach for a ride. There was one problem with that — the beach was closed.
According to local reports, beach access was shut down on Tuesday due to high winds, high tides and rip currents. Winds were reportedly up to 40 mph and breaking waves reached up to 11 or 12 feet.
However, that didn't stop Brzuszkiewicz from driving around the closed gate marked with a sign that said "DO NOT ENTER" and driving his large truck along the beach as giant waves crashed around.
Video reportedly captured by a witness shows barely any visible beach as Brzuszkiewicz drives through the waves parallel to the ocean. The white pickup truck can be seen driving through the water as waves lap around the vehicle. At one point, waves crashed over the truck, sending saltwater into the truck bed.
Brzuszkiewicz was even seen attempting to do a donut, driving the truck directly out into the ocean before stopping. The clip released by the sheriff's office then cuts to body-worn camera footage of deputies during Brzuszkiewicz's arrest.
"It's not my fault the truck don't surf," Brzuszkiewicz can be heard saying on the video.
Deputies quickly pointed out he shouldn't have been driving on the beach with the gates closed. He asks if he can get in trouble, and deputies tell him that yes, he can. He was arrested for violating Volusia County ordinance and later released on bond.
According to jail records, this was Brzuszkiewicz's second arrest within two days. He was also arrested on Feb. 4 and charged with defrauding an innkeeper under $1,000. He bonded out later that day.