DAYTONA BEACH SHORES — The family of Elizabeth Braly gathered on June 24 at the Dunlawton Avenue beach access ramp to place a memorial to her as they do every year since she was struck and killed by a drunk driver who crashed through the ramp and struck her 12 years ago.
But this year, they stopped to look at a new memorial at the access ramp: A photo, some stuffed animals and flowers placed on the north side of the ramp in memory of Tammie Jo Baker.
Baker had just started work in the tollbooth on June 1 when a pickup sped down the ramp and collided with the tollbooth, killing Baker.
“It’s a little different knowing that somebody else’s family is going through the same thing that we went through 12 years ago,” said Jonathan Braly, one of Elizabeth Braly’s sons.
“It’s hard to believe that it happened again. It’s the same area, same time of the year, same scenario,” he said.
Deanna Harrell was the driver of the pickup that crashed into the tollbooth, killing Baker, according to investigators. She had two rum and cokes and part of a shot at Metz II bar before leaving at 12:06 p.m., according to reports. Harrell also told investigators she had been drinking vodka and Gatorade from a Gatorade bottle.
Harrell, 35, of Ormond Beach, was charged with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter, both second-degree felonies punishable by up to 15 years in prison. She is being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail.
Elizabeth Braly was going to take pictures of the stars from the beach
On the night of June 24, 12 years ago, Elizabeth Braly was preparing to take pictures of the stars over the ocean. She was going to place her camera on a tripod and photograph them as the sky turned above her with the rotation of the earth
But she never got the chance. A car driven by Shawn P. Doolan crashed through the tollbooth and gate, striking and killing her.
Doolan pleaded no contest and was adjudicated guilty of DUI causing death. He was sentenced to 10 years and four months in prison followed by three years probation. Doolan, who is now 47 and resides in Port Orange, was released from prison on August 7, 2024. His driver’s license was revoked for life.
Jonathan Braly recalled the horrible crash that took his mother’s life. He was nearby on the beach with her. He said the family was visiting from North Carolina, and his mother had spent several hours at the beach earlier in the day and had returned to take photos of the stars.
“I could hear a car speeding and thinking ‘Oh, my God, this road is closed.’ Those were the words that I put in my head and when I turned around I see headlights just barreling through here. And Mr. Shawn Doolan burst through the barricade and struck my mom,” said Jonathan Braly of Hendersonville, North Carolina.
“If any of (Tammie Jo Baker’s) family would like to talk, know that they are not alone, I know it’s a hard thing to go through,” Jonathan Braly said. “Nothing I say or do will bring a loved one back, but we are all going through the same thing and if there’s anything I can do for them, feel free to reach out.”
Another one of Elizabeth Braly’s sons, Clifford Braly, also of Hendersonville, held back tears as he said nine months and one day after his mother was killed, his daughter, Janey, was born.
“A lot of stuff that she missed out on,” Clifford Braly said.
“She never got to meet (my daughter) … She don’t get to see the grandkids. She didn’t get to meet my wife,” he said.
“It’s a sad thing. Sad thing that it happened. It shouldn’t happen, but that’s life,” he said.
“You don’t forget about it ever. It’s always there. It’s a constant,” Clifford Braly said.
But he said his four children bring him joy. Jason, 16, Janey, 11, Clifford Jr., 9, and Myles, 2.
Clifford Braly said he also visits the Dunlawton Avenue beach ramp when he attends the Daytona 500 and Coke Zero Sugar 400 every year at Daytona International Speedway.
Debra Braly is the sister of Elizabeth Braly’s husband and lives in Port Orange. Elizabeth Braly and other family members were visiting her 12 years ago when she was killed.
She recalled that Jonathan Braly and three friends were with Elizabeth Braly on the beach when she was struck.
“They all four could have been killed,” she said.
Debra Braly is proud of Elizabeth Braly’s children
Debra Braly said Elizabeth’s children: Melissa, Madison, Jonathan, Clifford, Jason, and Christopher James, have done well despite the trauma of the sudden loss of their mother in the crash.
“All six of them are doing very well. They are adjusting. They have their lives. They have their families. Everyone is moving forward in life,” Debra Braly said. “I’m very proud of them.”
On June 24, Debra Braly read a poem in memory of Elizabeth Braily as family members gathered around the memorial behind the Pirates Cove Resort.
“Twelve years have passed since we lost you, Elizabeth Braly, yet your love remains a guiding light for your family,” read the introduction.
“Twelve years have softly slipped away, since we last saw you on this very night/Yet in our hearts, you never stray/You make our darkest moments bright./Though time moves on and seasons pass/And miles may keep us far apart/ Your loving memory is an endless gift/held forever in our heart.”
— Frank Fernandez covers courts and criminal justice in Volusia and Flagler counties for The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Family remembers mom killed 12 years ago at Dunlawton Avenue ramp
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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By Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
