A man is under arrest for allegedly stealing a 32-foot boat that later crashed ashore onto Daytona Beach with no one on board Saturday morning, Volusia County Beach Safety officials said.
Officials have not identified the man, but said he stole the boat from a marina in Daytona Beach and is the only suspect.
Coast Guard officials began searching after the boat when it ran ashore near the Silver Beach entrance of Daytona Beach around 10:30 a.m., beach safety officials said.
On @WFTV @MyFWC @DaytonaBeachFD @VolusiaBeach Safety on scene after empty boat washes up this morning near Silver Beach entrance pic.twitter.com/xJpYp3uWYA
— Angela Jacobs WFTV (@AngelaJacobsTV) June 24, 2017
The boat was traveling full speed when it came ashore, investigators said. Beach safety officers had to board the boat and turn off the engine.
"It's very bizarre," said Deanie Davis, a beachgoer. "I've walked this beach too many times and I've never seen a boat float up."
On @WFTV Volusia Co Beach Safety: the empty Ethel-Jeanne crash landed full speed on2 shore, its officers had 2climb aboard & turn off engine pic.twitter.com/5Bp7VaLb5u
— Angela Jacobs WFTV (@AngelaJacobsTV) June 24, 2017
No one was injured when the boat ran aground, beach safety officials said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Daytona Beach Fire Department and beach safety officials are investigating the boat crash.
"There's not a whole lot of talk about what's going on so our curiosity is definitely there," said Bruns Powers, beachgoer.
On @WFTV 36 ft driverless boat draws crowd after washing up along #DaytonaBeach pic.twitter.com/AO7jgbTkdc
— Angela Jacobs WFTV (@AngelaJacobsTV) June 24, 2017
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