South Daytona, FL - Police in South Daytona have arrested and charged a New Smyrna Beach man in connection to a deadly crash that claimed the life of a Port Orange man.
18-year-old Eric Marens was arrested by the South Daytona Police Department (SDPD) after a three-week investigation determined that he was racing another vehicle in his 2018 Ford Focus ST prior to a crash that killed Gregory Greer on February 9th. The investigation found that Marens was driving southbound on Nova Road in excess of 100 mph just before the crash occurred.
Initially, officers that were on scene after the crash received information that Marens was racing before the crash, but he denied the allegations. After securing a search warrant, officers were able to seize the vehicle's Event Data Recorder (EDR)—essentially the car's black box.
The EDR showed that Marens' vehicle was traveling at a top speed of 108 mph before the crash. He has since been charged with vehicular homicide and racing on a highway. Records from the Volusia County Clerk of Courts show that Marens remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail with bond set at $21,000.
The investigation into the crash continues. Anyone with information regarding the incident can call the South Daytona Police Department at (386) 322-3030.
