County Road 80 west of Bunnell is a short stretch of road that parallels the more familiar County Road 302 to the north. CR80 stretches along a canal that dumps into Haw Creek.
Brandy Demarco, 21, was driving her red Toyota Tacoma west on 80 around 1 a.m. Thursday when she looked to her left and saw a dog, then looked back ahead of her only to see a deer run across the road. She swerved right. The Tacoma left the road, overturned, and landed upside down in the ditch, 6 feet below the roadway.
She couldn’t free herself beyond unlatching the seat belt, even as water was seeping in. It took 45 minutes for her to be rescued. 911 notes indicate that she herself called the dispatch center at 1:41 a.m. and told the dispatcher she was stuck, with her vehicle upside down—and that she’d been there 45 minutes. There’s no explanation from the notes (nor from a sheriff’s release about the rescue issued Thursday) as to why, though cell reception was an issue.
Demarco only had time to tell the dispatcher that she wasn’t sure if she’d been injured before the line disconnected. The dispatcher called back, but at first there was no answer, then the line went to voice mail.
From that point it was only a matter of minutes before Flagler County sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Beausoleil, 24, barely past his probation-rookie year, arrived at the scene and was soon joined by other deputies (including Ryan Emery, Jeff Turner, Erik Pedersen and Crista Rainey).
“She was yelling. I told her I was going to use my baton to smash the window,’’ Beausoleil was quoted as saying in the release. “The water level wasn’t that high. But there was water coming inside the cab. It was definitely a bad situation.’’
The deputies were able to rescue Demarco, who had a few minor bruises on her left shin, according to 911 notes, but denied medical treatment.
Beausoleil has worked for the Sheriff’s Office just over a year. He started on Jan. 21, 2015. He’d previously worked as a security officer and in the food service industry. “I’m very proud of our deputy,” Sheriff Jim Manfre said in the release. “He did exactly what he’s trained to do, and we had a good outcome from a bad situation.’’
Roger’s Towing of Bunnell towed the vehicle.
Bc. says
Nice job deputy with all the negative stuff going around about young recruit deputys not Able to cut it and make it though the probation period you set a example with a job well done good luck with your career. We are lucky to have you here in Flagler
Geezer says
The deputy needs a good pat on the back for a job well done.
Good luck in your LEO career Deputy Beausoleil!
Anonymous says
Good job to the deputy. Very proud to say your on board. Im glad u saved this womens life. Thank you so much.
Thank you also to Roger towing for reporting on the scene.
Anonymous says
“To Serve and Protect”—Dude, that’s your job. I’m glad you did what you were supposed to.