MAN DIES AFTER JUMPING FROM CAR

MAN DIES AFTER JUMPING FROM CAR

A Pierson man died Saturday night after leaping from a moving car in DeLeon Springs. Jose Perez was in the front passenger seat of the car while his girlfriend was driving. Perez wanted to drive, but the woman refused to let him because he was drunk. As the argument escalated, Perez suddenly opened his door and jumped out. The woman immediately pulled over, and paramedics and Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the scene. Perez was taken to Florida Hospital DeLand by EVAC ambulance where he later pronounced dead.

The girlfriend, Iris Hernandez, told deputies that she was driving north on State Road 11 shortly after 9 p.m. She said that Perez repeatedly asked her to let him drive, but she refused. At one point, Perez opened the car door and threatened to jump. Hernandez slowed down and asked him to stop, which he did. Hernandez continued to drive, and Perez again started arguing about wanting to drive. As the car approached Blackwelder Road, Perez opened the door and this time leapt out. Rescue personnel who responded to the scene noted that Perez had suffered severe head injuries. The 25-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital at 10:05 p.m.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office Major Case unit is investigating the incident. An autopsy will be conducted by the Volusia County Medical Examiner's office next week to determine the official cause of death.