UPDATE: Gunfire a factor in Monday’s fatal crash

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has determined that gunfire was a factor in the fatal crash Monday at 53rd Street and Old Dixie Highway.

Detectives along with Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol now have to determine if the gunfire or the crash was the cause of Alphonso Wynn Jr.’s death, according to authorities.

Tuesday, detectives continued to meet with family members, friends, and possible witnesses to determine the events of late Sunday evening and early Monday morning that led Wynn to be fired upon before crashing his car, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives are encouraging anyone who may have had contact with Wynn during that time frame to contact the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers.

“Our agency will continue to work closely with the Florida Highway Patrol and the community to try to determine what happened to Mr. Wynn. Somebody out there knows and we need your help to solve this,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar.


Nov. 17, 6:04 p.m.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The overnight fatal crash on Old Dixie Highway is being treated as a potential homicide, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Eric Flowers.

Old Dixie Highway is now open to traffic, according to authorities.

The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Alphonso Wynn Jr.

Authorities are not sure if the bullet holes in the car are new or old. The Medical Examiner was unable to tell immediately if Wynn had been struck by any bullets.

“We have to (treat it as a homicide) because of the complexities of it; we don’t know what killed this person at this time,” said Flowers.

The vehicle was discovered by a passerby and it was on its roof at the time, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Wynn was discovered deceased in the driver’s seat. The vehicle was heading northbound on Old Dixie Highway.

The Medical Examiner should have a cause of death tomorrow morning, according to authorities.

“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,” said Det. Charlie Clark.

Wynn was arrested nine times previously by authorities in Indian River County.

Old Dixie Highway was closed between 49th Street and 53rd Street in both directions, according to authorities. 

If anyone has any information or may have witnessed something pertinent to the investigation, authorities encourage you to contact Det. Charlie Clark at (772) 978-6188 in reference to case number 2014-188053. 

Callers 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 www.tcwatch.org.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.


Nov. 17 10:50 a.m.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The site of a single vehicle fatal crash on Old Dixie Highway overnight is now an active crime scene, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.

The road remains closed between 49th and 53rd streets as investigators continue to work the scene.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area and find alternate routes of travel.


Nov. 17, 7:45 a.m.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — At least one person is dead following a single car crash that happened around 3 a.m. at Old Dixie Highway and 53rd Street.

The crash closed Old Dixie between 53rd Street and 49th Street, according to authorities.

Authorities said the driver, identified only as a male, veered off the road. The cause is under investigation.

This story will be updated when more information is released.

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