The Casselberry Police Department has identified the victims and the suspected driver involved in a deadly crash Tuesday afternoon.
Police say 26-year-old Marquaious Wheaton is the man who fled a traffic stop, causing the crash that killed two people.
Police have identified the victims as 42-year-old Christopher Marier, and 40-year-old Tyler Marier.
Footage from the scene on U.S. 17-92 near Sunnytown Road, just north of State Road 436, showed a car that had run into a pole and looked to be completely destroyed.
A second car could also be seen, flipped over on its roof. Multiple fire engines and an ambulance responded.
All lanes on U.S. 17-92 south were blocked at Triplet Lake Drive.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office says this all began in Sanford when deputies attempted to stop a vehicle on 25th Street near State Road 417 whose driver was suspected of trafficking fentanyl. The suspect, now identified as Wheaton, fled the area.
“Sheriff’s deputies did not pursue the vehicle out of concern for public safety and to reduce the risk of harm to innocent motorists and other potential victims. Instead, they allowed the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit to maintain continuous aerial surveillance from a safe distance,” according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office says the suspect was seen speeding down U.S. 17-92, at times going at least 100 mph, before entering Casselberry.
Deputies say the suspect’s vehicle crashed into another vehicle near Sunnytown Lane just after noon, killing Christopher Marier and Tyler Marier.
A GoFundMe was created for the family of Christopher Marier to help cover the cost of funeral and living expenses.
Christopher Marier was an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at UCF. The school issued the following statement:
“We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Marier’s family, friends, students, colleagues, and all who knew him. Although his time at UCF was brief, Dr. Marier quickly became a valued member of our community. Through his teaching, scholarship, and mentorship, he inspired students and made meaningful contributions to the Department of Criminal Justice. We are grateful for the impact he made on our students and our community, and our thoughts are with those grieving his loss.”
You are also welcome to use this statement from Dr. Gene Paoline, professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice.
“Our department is deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless loss, and our hearts are with Chris’ loved ones. He was a bright, accomplished, and thoughtful scholar who cared deeply about his students and colleagues. We are grateful for the time we had with him and the lasting impact he made on our department.”
UCF spokesperson