A spring break reveler was filmed performing a wild stunt on top of a Jeep, moments before tragically losing his life in Port Aransas, Texas.
Michael Brown, 22, sustained a fatal head injury in a crash on Highway 361 on March 14.
One spring breaker was arrested following the incident.
A spring breaker was filmed performing a wild stunt on top of a Jeep, moments before he tragically lost his life
Highlights
- Michael Brown, 22, tragically lost his life in a crash in Port Aransas, Texas.
- He was filmed twerking on top of a Jeep, moments before the vehicle collided with a Tesla.
- The spring breaker behind the Jeep was arrested.
- The fatal crash took place days after a teenager opened fire at a Port Aransas beach and injured five.
Image credits: world24x7hr
Investigators revealed that Michael was enjoying spring break with friends when he was captured performing a stunt on top of a 2012 Jeep Wrangler on March 14. The shirtless 22-year-old was seen twerking on top of the vehicle as it dashed down Highway 361.
Riley Rhoades, 24, was behind the wheel when the Jeep crashed into a Tesla.
Horrified witnesses saw first responders treat Michael, who was flung out of the passenger’s seat and sustained a serious head injury.
Image credits: Michael Brown
Three youngsters in swimsuits were seen next to the wrecked car while first responders tended to the injured victim on the road.
Authorities found that Riley was drunk, with blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of .14 and .12 during breath tests. The legal BAC limit in Texas is .08.
The driver was charged with one count of intoxication ass**lt and taken to the Nueces County Jail.
Michael was captured twerking on top of the Jeep moments before the devastating crash
Image credits: Michael Brown
The Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed this week that 22-year-old Michael had lost his life in the crash.
News reporter Ryan Wolf shared a post about a man named Fred donating a casket for Michael’s grieving family.
Even though there was “no connection” and “no obligation,” the “stranger removed one burden” for the family, he added.
Image credits: world24x7hr
A GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds for the family, and $7,840 has been donated so far.
The message on the fundraising page described Michael as someone who would give the shirt off his back. “His kindness and generosity have touched many lives,” the message added.
Loved ones remembered Michael as someone “energetic” and “truly special.”
Three spring breakers were seen next to the wrecked car while first responders tended to an injured victim
Image credits: world24x7hr
“His energetic personality was unmatched, and my son fondly recalls their time together,” social media user Kelsey Hurley wrote on Facebook.
Another social media user, Brittany Shaver, wrote a post saying the deceased youngster “wasn't just a damn good cousin but [an] awesome son, amazing brother and the best of best friends/friend to others.”
He “loved to just have fun and let loose,” Brittany added.
Image credits: Robin Brown
As spring break took over the Gulf Coast town of Port Aransas, multiple car crashes involving spring breakers were reported.
The town was also shaken over a violent incident involving 17-year-old Ernesto Josiah Castillo, from San Antonio.
Image credits: world24x7hr
Ernesto had opened fire on a crowd of beachgoers on March 15 while driving away in a black Chevy pickup truck. Five people were injured in the incident.
The teen was charged with five counts of aggravated ass**lt with a de*dly weapon.
The fatal crash took place days after a teenager opened fire at a Port Aransas beach and injured five
Image credits: world24x7hr
Despite concerning incidents, Port Aransas Mayor Wendy Moore urged visitors to continue visiting the town.
“My message to anyone that wants to travel to Port Aransas for spring break, is please come, we have an amazing destination and so many wonderful opportunities for you to come and have a really safe wonderful vacation,” the mayor said.
“So I hope you're not discouraged by these isolated incidents that happened over the weekend,” she added.
Image credits: world24x7hr
Port Aransas is home to just about 3,000 permanent residents. But the town hosts around 80,000 to 100,000 visitors for spring break every year.
More than a dozen arrests were made for drunk driving amid this year's revelry.
Stacy Ross said she would visit Port Aransas every spring break with her family, but this year's visit took a gut-wrenching turn when her stepson was one of the five people struck when Ernesto opened fire.
She recalled getting a call from her stepdaughter, “frantically crying” and informing her about the stepson's injuries.
Stacy Ross' stepson sustained eight g*nshot wounds and was the most severely injured of the five
It is believed an altercation broke out between two groups on the beach, and Ernesto began driving away. At some point, he opened fire into the crowd that included members of Stacy’s family.
“The driver decided to reverse and back up, and then the gentleman in the back seat decided to pull a g*n out and just start sh**ting into our family's crowd,” she told 6 News.
Stacy’s stepson sustained eight g*nshot wounds and was the most severely injured of the five.
Port Aransas Police Lt. Mike Hannon claimed the police department was prepared with extra staff for the season.
“We have preplanned the resources we have as well as asking the state for resources with the DPS Troopers and with parks and wildlife Game Wardens that's already been put in place we have an operational plan for that and that's what we're gonna follow,” he said.
“We've all done stupid things. Some of us pay the price for them,” one commenter wrote online following Michael's passing
