NEWS RELEASE

At approximately 3:18 A.M., deputies with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a one vehicle crash in the 5200 block of Old Dixie Highway in Vero Beach. Responding deputies determined the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was deceased upon their arrival. Florida Highway Patrol was called to the scene to investigate the crash at which time the deceased was identified as Alphonso Wynn Jr. (35) of Gifford. During the investigation, deputies identified bullet holes in the vehicle, which changed the course of the investigation.

Because they were unable to immediately identify when the bullet holes were created, detectives with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene. Hours after the crash, the 19th Judicial Circuit Medical Examiner’s Office removed Mr. Wynn’s body from the vehicle, but they were unable to determine if he had been struck by any bullets. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

At this time, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol are working the investigation in concert to determine the events that led up to the crash. Detective Charlie Clark stated, “Even if the autopsy finds that Mr. Wynn was struck by one or more bullets, we will still have to determine if the bullet or the crash was the cause of his death. We are treating the scene as a crime scene to preserve any evidence that may be here.”

Crime scene detectives remain on scene at this time. Old Dixie Highway remains closed between 49th Street and 53rd Street in both directions. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes such as US 1 or Indian River Boulevard to avoid the area. If anyone has any information or may have witnessed something pertinent to the investigation, you are encouraged to contact Detective Charlie Clark at (772) 978-6188 in reference to case number 2014-188053.

You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by contacting Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS (8477) or http://www.tcwatch.org .