Man arrested, accused of driving drunk through Jacksonville Ironman course

May 18, 2026

A suspected drunk driver entered the IRONMAN Jacksonville race course on Saturday afternoon, speeding through the cycling route near the Five Points area and narrowly missing runners and bicyclists. Officers stationed along the course saw the vehicle driving recklessly into the path of competitors and spectators, prompting them to initiate a pursuit when the driver refused to stop.

Body‑cam footage showed the car weaving toward crowded areas, including Riverside Park, as the impaired driver created multiple near‑misses with athletes and crowd members. A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office DUI officer used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle before it caused any injuries, after which officers quickly arrested the driver.

The suspect was identified as 62‑year‑old Darrell Simon, who now faces eight felony charges and nearly a dozen misdemeanor and traffic violations, including DUI‑related offenses. Police noted this is Simon’s third DUI arrest in the past 10 years, underscoring a history of impaired driving. FCN