UPDATE FROM THE FAMILY: “No one seems to know this but it was also her 70th birthday. She was on the way home from dinner for her birthday. She was the monarch of our family and she has had a condo in cocoa beach all my life (31y). Her life was worth these details being told.”
According to police reports, 36-year-old Mark Vannicola was the driver in a New Years Eve crash on HWY 520 just in front of Cape Canaveral hospital.
Cocoa Beach Police released a statement saying that at 9:08 PM, Officers with the Cocoa Beach Police Department responded to a report of a Vehicle Crash with Injuries on West Cocoa Beach Causeway (SR520), just west of Bicentennial Park in Cocoa Beach. Upon arrival, Officers’ located two vehicles that were involved, along with an extended debris field present on the roadway. Each vehicle had a driver and occupant that had sustained injuries. Preliminary results are that this was a rear end collision and speed may have been a factor.
Brevard County Sheriff’s responded to the scene to assist. Deputy Hitchcock reported that on arrival, he made contact with Mr. Mark Vannicola (Defendant) who was the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the crash, involving serious injuries to two individuals. Mr. Vannicola appeared highly intoxicated, he had slurred speech, bloodshot, watery glassy eyes, and the strong odor of alcoholic beverage was emitting from his person.
Mr. Vannicola would not speak with him, or advise if he had suffered any injury from the traffic crash.
Mr. Vannicola then asked if he could stand up. He asked Mr. Vannicola to stay seated due to the potential injury until he was seen by fire rescue. He then stood up very quickly, turned toward me, and yelled “fuck you pussy, I’ll stand if I want”.
Due to his aggressive posturing, and bladed stance, he implemented a takedown and placed him into handcuffs. While seated on the ground, Mr. Vannicola aggressively jerked his right elbow into his right calf, commiting the offense of battery.
According to the statement released by Cocoa Beach Police, a passenger in one of the vehicles, identified as Pamela Morrison, 70, of Barney, Georgia, succumbed to her injuries as a result of this incident.
Family of Pamela posted on social media that her two dogs, Toby and Georgia were also killed in the accident as well, one of which was missing but a citizen who found the dog shared a photo of the leash in a lost pets facebook group. Two other members of the family riding with Pamela were hospitalized as well.
Mark was arrested for two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and is currently out on bond.
His likely to be facing additional charges related to the crash and loss of life involved.
Criminal Defense
Bankruptcy · Evictions
WICKS LAW P.A.
Call or text for
free consult
321-733-2700
Eric Wicks, Esq.
1250 West Eau Gallie Blvd. G
Melbourne, FL 32935
Abogado Wicks habla español
