dui-arrest · Jacksonville, Florida

What happened after a drunk driver sped through the IRONMAN Jacksonville race course?

What happened?

Darrell Simon was arrested on eight felony charges and nearly a dozen misdemeanors and violations, including DUI-related offenses, after driving drunk through the IRONMAN Jacksonville race course on May 16, 2026. He remained in jail on a bond exceeding $215,000, with an arraignment scheduled for early June 2026.

Interim public outcome

Last checked: Jun 12, 2026
Sources: firstcoastnews.com; News4JAX; Unofficial Networks; 104.5 WOKV

Timeline

  1. A "Detective E. Valerio" from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office was named as a defendant in a civil rights complaint.

  2. Darrell Simon, 62, drove drunk through the IRONMAN Jacksonville race course, narrowly missing athletes and damaging another car. JSO officers, including Ernesto Valerio and Aaron Sanchez, were involved in the pursuit and arrest. Separately, at least seven other traffic incidents occurred during the event, including an injured JSO officer and two bicyclist collisions.

  3. Simon remained in jail on a bond over $215,000, facing eight felony charges and nearly a dozen misdemeanors, including specific DUI-related offenses. This was his third DUI arrest in 10 years. No injuries to athletes or spectators from his actions were reported.

  4. Simon was scheduled for arraignment on the charges.

  5. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and St. Johns County commissioners discussed "after-action reviews" and potential "tweaks" to the IRONMAN event for future years to address traffic delays and safety concerns.

Receipts