Last Updated: 4:42 p.m.
Brianna Bellon, 23, a resident of Beach Village Circle in Palm Coast, was killed late Sunday night as the car she was either driving or riding in with two men rolled into a canal in an isolated part of Flagler County, south of the Mondex.
The two men Bellon was with, Zackariah Holden and Corey Doyle-Carlson, both 23 and both of Palm Coast, were not injured, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. But information to Flagler County Dispatch (the 911 center), released Monday afternoon, tells a different story.
The wreck appears at least tangentially but tragically related to the death of 17-year-old Meredith Smith a year and a half ago: Doyle-Carslon, from postings on his Facebook page, had posted of marking Smith’s birthday the morning before the crash, and referring to her by her nickname: ““Been up all night drinkin thinking of you I miss the shit out of you kid thanks for lookin over me MERFF miss the hell out of you this ones for you.”
Smith was killed, along with 19-year-old Lane Burnsed, in a three-vehicle crash on I-95 in Ormond Beach in July 2012.
A friend of Doyle-Carlson’s commented below that post: “Every time I see u post it’s about having a drink!,” one commenter told him Sunday. “Might wanna attend a couple AA classes! Lol.”
At 3:30 a.m. Monday morning, what would have been a few hours after Sunday night’s crash, Doyle-Carlson posted again: “yo just woke up upside down in a ditch and I think I broke my shoulder.” He makes no reference to either Bellon or Holden. A friend on his page would later take him to task for focusing on his shoulder instead of on Bellon’s fate.
The two men left the scene after the 10:30 p.m. wreck, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report, “went to a residence, and contacted police from there.”
The report does not specify where the residence was, or why the two men did not contact 911 from the scene. But a Flagler County Sheriff’s report issued this morning notes that Holden and Doyle-Calson “got a ride” to Holden’s mother’s house at 12 Katrina Place in Palm Coast, and that one of them got there “covered in mud and bleeding.” Suzanne Holden told police that her son and Doyle-Carlson told her that Bellon was driving when the vehicle flipped. The men said they had “attempted to locate” Bellon “but could not find her and got a ride from a friend back to Katrina Place.”
Again, it is not clear how or why the two men were able to call a friend to the scene in order to get a ride to Katrina Place, almost 17 miles away from the wreck scene, but were not able to call 911 from the scene–or why, as victims of wrecks generally do, they had not stayed at the scene for rescue units to arrive.
Bellon, the report states, “was located floating face down and was pulled out of the overturned vehicle by deputies. Deputies attempted CPR and utilized a defibrillator on [Bellon], however, she was pronounced deceased by Rescue 51.”
Dispatch notes (from the 911 center) released this afternoon show the two men appearing at Suzanne Holden’s house on Katrina place at 10:39 p.m.
“They don’t know the female,” the dispatcher tells various units, referring to information the two men were relaying to 911. “They[y] crawled from the veh[icle],” the notes state.
At Flagler authorities considered contacting Air One, the Volusia County emergency helicopter, for a search. That was at 10:44 p.m. The men reported that the car was in 6 inches of water. At 10:44 p.m., the order went out from Dispatch to “hold off on Air One.”
An ambulance unit, Flagler County Firer Rescue 51, was on its way at 10:43 p.m. Rescue 92 was dispatched at 10:53 p.m., but for the two men on Katrina place.
Deputies found the car at 10:48 p.m.
“She is under water, possibly Sig7,” Dispatch noted one minute later, suggesting that it was not at all difficult for the deputies to locate Bellon. Signal 7 is the code for a deceased person.
It is not clear from the 911 notes when precisely Rescue 51 arrived at the scene, but at 10:55 p.m. they were directed “across ditch and into woodline.” The deputies tried to get her out, and had done so by 10:51 p.m., at which point they administered CPR.
At 10:54, the deputies used an automated external defibrillator.
As the deputies–who were later reported to be infuriated that the two men had left the scene–were attempting to revive Bellon, 911 noted that the wreck had “occurred 45mns to hour ago.”
The Florida Highway Patrol was informed of the incident at 10:56 p.m.
Brianna Bellon was pronounced dead by Rescue 51 paramedics at 11:12 p.m.
At 11:45 p.m., authorities located a landline for Bellon’s mother at Beach Village Circle, but it is not clear at which point she was informed of the accident, though a sheriff’s chaplain was also contacted in order to make the notification in person.
FHP arrived at the accident scene seven minutes after midnight, at which points, as is routine, the sheriff’s office turned over the scene to a state trooper.
The FHP report also states that it is unknown at this stage of the investigation who was at the wheel of the car: it is not clear why the men have not provided a fuller description of the incident. Agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were on their way to Johns Towing in Bunnell around noon Monday to examine the car and better determine who had been driving. The car was towed to Johns Towing.
Bellon, Holden and Doyle-Carlson and Holden were traveling north on County Road 2007 in a 1999 Toyota Solara when, near the intersection with County Road 110, the car lost control–for unknown reasons–skidded east, struck a tree and overturned in a waterlogged ditch. The Toyota was on its roof when authorities arrived at the scene.
All three individuals have prior arrest records.
Holden was found guilty of drunk driving last fall. An accompanying charge of DUI with property damage was dropped. In 2009 a minor pot possession charge against him was dropped. Doyle-Carlson, who has a young daughter, has been booked at the county jail eight times between 2008 and 2012, for felony probation violation, felony battery, criminal mischief, home invasion robbery and introducing contraband in a jail, among other charges. Bellon was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer. She had agreed to a pre-trial intervention contract, which wipes the slate clean once the terms of the contract are fulfilled.
Between 9 and 10 a.m., Haley Eubanks wrote below Doyle-Carlson’s “status” from the ditch: “I know y’all probably feel like shit and all because of the accident last [night] but come on. Yesterday was MEREDITHS BIRTHDAY! And why did We lose her?! A CAR ACCIDENT CAUSED BY SOMEONE UNDER THE INFLUENCE! Y’all should know better than to get wasted! I love you and zack to death and that’s why I’m so heart broken by y’all’s DUMB ASS DECISIONS! Yesterday was about Meredith, it wasn’t an excuse to get drunk.”
Note: more recent images of Brianna Bellon may be sent to [email protected].
The distance from the scene of the crash to 12 Katrina Place, where Zackariah Holden and Corey Doyle-Carlson say they got a friend to drive them, before they told Holden’s mother of the wreck, and she called 911.
The Truth says
A life that had just begun is now gone. What a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with this young girls family.
Linda Prince says
This was my granddaughter Brianna. I hope the true story comes out what really happened. She was a beautiful girl inside and out. Sometimes when your young or old you do stupid things. Yes these men should have tried to get her out and I’m sure they are going to pay for this one. My granddaughter is gone now and lets help our loved ones try and live a safe life with God in their lives and in their hearts.
Dianne Boatsman says
Linda I can’t begin to know the way to reach out to you but know my heart goest out to you and your family. Our Family as well all are praying and thinking of you all as we too are sad for our loss of Bri. We are all in numbness and shock. What a sadness deep within I can’t even imagine your grief. Love you all… ~Dianne~ P.S. I love your grace in “lets help our loved ones try and live a safe life with God in their lives and in their hears” I hope for this too
McKenna says
I miss her so much I really hope those guys rot on jail ~McKenna (kamis lil sister
[email protected] says
nice men, good human beings, both left her dead alone in the ditch and went to get help. maybe they finished off the alcohol on the way to the house to call 911
Come on Now says
Two grown men have the strength to run to a house for help, but can’t get the young woman out??? Why not one get help and the other do everything imaginable it takes to try and rescue her? Or how about both attempting to at least lift the car. Or, lets go for help together so we can get our stories straight!
StringCheese says
Very sad. When you look up her mugshot, she posted a comment on it her self stating ” I was wasted hahaha” Hope that wasn’t the case when she got in the accident that caused her to lose her life. I wish teens and young adults would take life a little more seriously and realize bad things really CAN happen to them :/
http://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Brianna_Bellon_12431700/
Dirtbags says
I hope these two scumbags get charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a death. It is beyond my imagination how someone much less two people just leave someone in the vehicle that is pictured above. To hear that the one loser then posted on his facebook about injuring his shoulder. These two guys are LOSERS in my book. I pray for the family of the victim and offer my condolences. The thought of if MAYBE these two dumbasses contacted 911 immediately after accident and didn’t leave this girl in the car, she could still be alive. That is what is disturbing when reading this.
A.S.F. says
When we’re young, we think we’re invulnerable. That leads to many foolish mistakes that can turn out to be fatal ones. Godspeed to this young woman’s family and friends.Once again, we should all take the time to consider not only the risks we pose to ourselves when we drink and drive but the harm we can wreak on others. It can be hell living with that kind of guilt.
pathetic says
So instead of calling off 1 of 3 cell phones to alert police they just walk it off to a close by residents?? NO excuses. NO one knows if that girl died on scene the only witnesses who were there were drunk by 5 o’clock last night so God only knows what actually happened who knows if she was driving or COULD have survived, had they not walked away or called police IMMEDIATELY and stayed on scene instead they were cowards.
fl girl says
they should have known better, sence they all ready had friends die from drinking and driving .god knows the truth . he works in a way we my never know why this happen,and why these guys walked away, but they will have to answer to him,they need to find out were this party was at all so,it just makes me so mad that my future is with these young people,and they do dumb things like this. they knew what they were doing,its not like they were 16 years old.
Natasha says
She didn’t die from impact or injuries. She died from drowning in 6 inches of water. 6 years ago today.
Genie says
BAD decisions being made by some of Palm Coast’s young citizens. Clearly DUI’s need to have a stronger sentence.
In Texas, you get two years in prison for your 3rd DUI and another 10 to life if you ever do it again. I think that’s fair.
Reaganomicon says
“Fair” would be treatment for alcoholism and psychological evaluation so that they can be re-introduced back into society as productive members instead of felons that will never be able to work any meaningful jobs and that will in all probably reoffend, but hey whatever floats your boat.
Nancy N. says
See, the problem is (in this issue as in so many others) that the state criminalizes addiction instead of treating it. Locking someone up doesn’t fix the issues that made them drink – it just creates more issues. Prison is not “tough love” treatment for addicts, no matter how much “tough on crime” advocates would like you to believe it. You want to prevent people from getting their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th DUI’s? You have to provide them access to a hardcore effective treatment program – and then ensure they use it.
Alicia says
My heart goes out to Brianna’s family.
for everyone that wants to post negative comments…. I am sure they are very aware of the mistake they made and would give anything to go back and change it. Everyone can sit back and say what they would have done but the truth is… you don’t know how you would have reacted. You don’t know what happened and you don’t know what they did or did not try to do after the accident.
Genie says
These boys left the scene and went 17 miles away, waiting an hour to contact police. They were most definitely aware of what they did and what they were trying to cover up.
I don’t think many here would have done this. This was cowardly and may have cost this young woman her life.
Fed Up says
My sympathy to her family….My anger to the worthless male occupants who could not even pull her out and help her. They need PRISON TIME !!!!
Just the facts says
Those men are cowards- they let that girl die and should be held accountable.
MaryJo says
What a shame… Hugs to all the family and friends of all these ‘kids’.
Opinionated says
My deepest sympathy to Bri’s family; I can’t begin to imagine the heartache they are enduring today.
As a side note, at first, my thoughts were how badly the two guys must feel that they weren’t able to pull Bri out of the car (that’s even if they tried) and then I read about the post on Corey’s Facebook that indicated he may have a broken shoulder…..well, who gives a sh*t? To make a comment like that after you just lost a “friend”, in your presence, is astonishing, careless, heartless and seemingly cavalier about something that should literally shake your soul to the core. I don’t like to pass judgement on people I don’t know however, it is hard to get out of my head that he knew she lost her life when he wrote that but yet he thought it was more important to mention than the loss of a life. Speaks volumes.
Wolley Segap says
I’d be curious to know how far the residence was from the scene and why 911 was not called prior to or at least when the friend picked them up. They obviously had a means of communication if ey reached out to a friend to come get them.
Ira Bowman says
It’s a sad day that two dirt bags would let a young woman die like that without trying to get her out of the car!!
John says
I dont understand why it took Flagler County Ambulance 12 minutes to get to the scene. This is a prime example why we need a unit on the west side!!!!!!! It only takes them a couple minutes for them to get to a Palm coast house! What about us? We pay taxes too! Maybe they could have made a difference. As for the two men in the car, shame on you! Justice will be served! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Yellowstone says
Ok . . Who owns or who is registered to that Oregon auto? Whose house did those two goofballs initially go to? Why didn’t that party then recognize the injuries and then report that an accident may have happened?
Too many questions and too many things left to read later. This should be interesting reading!
Outsider says
I doubt it would make it through even Flagler Live’s liberal editing process if I were to say what I’m thinking right now, nor would it help the family of this young woman. I hope the FDLE can determine who was driving and at least pursue some type of manslaughter charges against these vermin. It’s time to put the trash out to the curb. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family.
Family Guy says
Nobody knows the facts, nobody did the right thing here, and nobody knows how two men with rap sheets as long as my leg are still walking around in Flagler County still able to pull stunts like this one.
At the very least, leaving the scene of an accident is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. So, there’s that. Plus, they’re driving while intoxicated, and unless I missed something important, I don’t see anything about this poor girl being pulled from the driver’s seat.
Celebrating the life of a departed friend by pseudo-killing another friend isn’t exactly grounds for continued citizenship. The county sheriff’s office needs to descend on this case quickly, before something gives it much higher levels of attention and scrutiny.
Miss Caprice says
I lost my daughter and her best friend almost 4 years ago to a drinking and driving incident. My heart is sick for these parents, siblings and friends. Praying God wraps them all in His comfort, peace and healing. ((Hugs!))
Anonymous says
think they could have atleast tried to get her out the damn car!!!COWARDS couldnt find her my ASS!!
flagler says
can not stomach that these guys left the girl alone , who knows if she was still alive and drowned as she may of been unconscious or even intoxicated and needed help. i am Brianna’s age and sadly know the this young crowd that runs around flagler country to often drinking and driving. i pray for the family and hope justice gets served
i hate people like this says
I am so sick of this crap! These little boys belong in jail. how dare you leave someone to die??? and especially when you supposedly cared about what happened Meredith, and Lane. You poor excuses as men left that poor girl to die in that water and ran away from a crime seance and the saddest thing of all is one of y’all were probably the ones driving and y’all don’t want to get in trouble so y’all are blaming the dead girl. Meredith is looking down on you and frowning on your pathetic peaces of poor excuses you call men!
Edrei L says
I knew Bri from school. She was a beautiful, smart, funny person. She could brighten your day with her smile. She did amazing nails, and was just starting life out. Shame on these “so called men”, and sadly shame on her for settling to go driving with these “morons”. I am so deeply sad that her last moments were with people that did not have any self respect nor care about her. My prayers go out to her family and friends. Its a true tradgedy, and I hope that these 2 get their heads out of their…..butts, and realize the gift of life, because there is one less person in the world due to their choices.
Prayers to her family, and prayers to their families, that they did not have to lose a father, and their parents didnt lose a child.
James says
Why was she with them? Did she know them? I hope they will do a thorough autopsy to be sure there wasn’t other foul play before the accident. Too many unanswered questions, and the two young men certainly can’t be given any credibility.
dumdfounded says
Will there be any arrest? I can’t believe these men are out walking free. They left her to die. We need justice!
Teresa Michael says
I’m like who the hell is running this investigation and where was the concern for this so called friend of those two stupid law breaking jerks. I can truly say if that was my child I personal make sure that they were charged they called for a ride not “911” who does that and as for that other girl her family needs to check out the whole thing. I’m pissed these guy’s act like they were riding a bike and tier blow left the bike and went home no worries are you kidding. I will be making some calls to make sure the popper steps are taken. My Prayers Goes Out To Her Family, GOD BLESS
Mondex says
It is a shame how this happens a day after MERFF’s birthday! Another young life taken, how many more Flagler teenagers will have to pass before you realize that it’s not safe to drink and drive! I have been out to Russle’s landing a couple of times and have watched many of them get into a car drunk and hope they made it home safe. The park should close after a certain time to keep them from drinking and partying out there. As for the “men” they should have known better than to leave the sight, they need to man up and tell the truth. The evidence will tell the truth.
To her family may you find peace ((hugs))
Hope says
Brianna Marie Bellon is my best friend. She moved from Oregon a year ago this week with her amazing mother and siblings. We are trying to raise money to be able to cover funeral expenses and possibly bringing her to Oregon to be able to rest with her father in Oregon, or whatever the family wishes.
http://www.gofundme.com/7rhx0o
If you find it in your heart and budget, anything given would be no less than a blessing straight from The Lord. I leave the fates of these men with God, The Father but am also very interested to find out more about them and the accident. If anyone has any information please contact me at [email protected]
Bri Bri Marie was a light in all of our lives and has many close friends here all over the West Coast missing her and praying for justice and rest.
Ben Dover says
Why didn t these two idiots pull the girl out themselves if they could climb back up the enbankment they were able to get her out of car , they ought to be charged with manslaughter PERIOD!!!!
Curiousity says
I agree that these two shouldn’t have left the scene–that was a punkass move. But have any of you ever had a car accident? I have. I was dazed, confused, wandering around. The emergency personnel that responded to the scene had to tell me what to do several times because I had a head injury among other things and I couldn’t focus on anything or make sense of what was happening/bring said. That’s not to say it excuses them from leaving the scene and waiting to call. But it could go a long way toward explaining their mindset at that time. And if they woke up dazed, and called out for the girl, in that state of mind (or possible intoxication), they might have assumed SHE left THEM. Many years ago, I had to bury a high school friend not 3 months after our graduation. He was driving while intoxicated–he offered to drive his friend home from a party because his friend had had to much to drink. My friend hit the off-ramp of the highway doing at least 120mph… He took out two trees in an Iroc, before being thrown out the t-top and being crushed by the car rolling over him. He wore no seatbelt. His friend woke up some time later, still seatbelted in the car that was upside-down in a ditch. He assumed my friend ditched him so he wouldn’t get in trouble for drinking n driving n wrecking his buddy’s car. He called for a ride n went directly to the hospital, where he was actually admitted for injuries n observation. About 6 hours later, my friend’s mom learned of the accident, n assumed her son was also at the hospital. A search of the scene all those hours later located my friend, only too late. I know a lot of people questioned their decisions–none more so than the kid still seatbelted in the car. Would he have been able to save my friend if he had alerted authorities? Maybe. Maybe not. We’ll never know, and he has lived with that question every single day. The only way to avoid a situation like this, is to not drink and drive in the first damn place. And if it’s YOUR friend, or YOUR family member, or YOUR classmate, you stop them. Because like one poster on here said, she/he watched the local kids get in their cars and drive away drunk so many times…. Well, go ask the family of THIS girl about”odds”. Because for HER family, the odds are now 100%… God love them.
Pamela Watson says
I am absolutely shocked that these guys are not in jail!! They left her there to die. What is wrong with this picture? Cowards is what they are!
My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to Brianna’s family and friends!
boyfriend says
Even by some fat chance you two go free justice will still be done. She was an angel long before she passed
FPC MOM says
Still waiting for a follow up. FlaglerLive please don’t let this story die. We need these men arrested!
enough says
I see all you people ready to hang these kids out to dry. Fact is, she was the one that was driving. Probably drunk like the other two. She could have also very easily killed the boys as well. No, they shouldn’t have left her. Lets all wait for the autopsy, providing there is one,. She may have died on impact. No one knows for sure. It makes my heart hurt that a young girl lost her life. If the autopsy comes back and she was intoxicated, well, its just as much her fault. It could have been 3 people that lost their lives.