Daytona Beach Driver Charged in Fatal Crash
A 36-year-old man faces two counts of vehicular homicide following a red-light collision in June.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Accidents
Arkeem Mitchell has surrendered to the Daytona Beach Police Department to face vehicular homicide charges. Authorities allege Mitchell caused a fatal crash at the intersection of Ridgewood and Bellevue avenues that resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
Why it matters
The charges follow a high-speed collision that claimed two lives, highlighting the severe legal consequences for drivers operating vehicles without a valid license.
Arkeem Mitchell faces two counts of vehicular homicide and is currently held on $300,000 bail. Investigators determined the suspect was driving 20 mph over the 40 mph speed limit during the incident.
The players
Arkeem Mitchell
He is the 36-year-old suspect charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.
Daytona Beach Police Department
This is the local law enforcement agency responsible for the investigation and the arrest of the suspect.
Nathan Berry
He was a 77-year-old victim who died in the collision.
Oveler Smith
He was a 72-year-old victim who died in the collision.
The details
Police stated Mitchell ran a red light, colliding with a Ford before striking a Toyota pickup that pushed the vehicles 70 feet. The crash resulted in the deaths of 77-year-old Nathan Berry and 72-year-old Oveler Smith.
Timeline
June 16, 2026: Arkeem Mitchell was convicted of an open container violation.
June 17, 2026: Arkeem Mitchell had his driver's license revoked.
June 19, 2026: The fatal crash occurred at Ridgewood and Bellevue avenues.
September 21, 2026: Arkeem Mitchell surrendered to police.
September 22, 2026: Arkeem Mitchell remained in jail custody.
Legal Context
The charges filed against the suspect are a direct application of the vehicular homicide penalties outlined in Florida Statute 782.071 regarding vehicular homicide. This case mirrors broader efforts by local authorities to aggressively prosecute drivers who commit traffic felonies.
Residents should be aware that police are maintaining a heightened focus on traffic safety enforcement at high-incident intersections like Ridgewood and Bellevue avenues. Motorists are reminded that driving without a valid license or in violation of traffic signals poses extreme risks to local public safety.
The takeaway
Traffic safety experts emphasize the importance of adhering to speed limits and signal controls to prevent life-altering collisions in busy urban areas. Maintaining a valid license is a fundamental legal requirement that ensures all drivers meet the necessary safety standards for the road.
Further reading
For more information on regional traffic investigations, visit the Accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
