Miami Beach Ocean Rescue Worker Runs Over Sunbathing Man

The man was transported to Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition, according to a city spokesperson.

November 19, 2024

Image: A Miami Beach Ocean Rescue worker ran over a man sunbathing on the beach over the weekend, sending him to the hospital with serious injuries.

A Miami Beach Ocean Rescue worker ran over a man sunbathing on the beach over the weekend, sending him to the hospital with serious injuries. Flickr via Steven Straiton

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A Miami Beach Ocean Rescue worker ran over a man sunbathing on the beach over the weekend, sending him to the hospital with serious injuries.

Just before noon on Sunday (November 17), a city employee ran over a 59-year-old man who was lying in the sand behind the Fourth Street lifeguard tower situated on South Beach, city spokesperson Melissa Berthier tells New Times.

The man was transported to Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition and was released the same day, Berthier says.

According to Berthier, Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) officials responded to the scene of the incident and cited the employee, Kevin Stockhauasen, with careless driving involving serious injuries. The incident is under investigation by MBPD’s internal affairs unit, and Stockhausen has been placed on administrative duty, Berthier says.

A number of similar incidents have played out over the years across Florida.

Jacksonville-based personal injury firm Phillips-Hunt & Walker says that more than 20 sunbathers have been run over on Florida beaches in recent years.

In 2022, a 23-year-old woman lying on the beach was struck by a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office SUV; she was reportedly brought to the hospital and sustained "non-life threatening injuries."

As recently as this past Memorial Day, a patrol vehicle ran over two 18-year-olds who were sunbathing at Daytona Beach. The extent of their injuries wasn't immediately clear.

Alex DeLuca is a Miami New Times staff writer who focuses on news, crime, and public safety, education, and cannabis. Prior to joining New Times in June 2020, Alex worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and freelanced for The Appeal. She holds a bachelor's degree from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

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