A Sarasota Countyman has been arrested after police say he cut down a mature oak tree at the site of a fatal crash in Venice that killed two men.
The Venice Police Department arrested Randy Brinson, 43, on Aug. 27 and charged him with criminal mischief involving damage of $1,000 or more, a third-degree felony.
During an interview with detectives, Brinson said a friend of one of the men killed in the Aug. 17 crash paid him to remove the tree from Patriots Park, according to police.
Brinson told investigators he first tried to cut down the tree Aug. 21 but was unsuccessful. Police said he returned during daylight hours Aug. 26 and finished cutting it down.
Nearby restaurant patrons and passersby witnessed the tree cutting and provided police with
descriptions and photographs, according to the department. Investigators said they used that information along with data from Flock automated license plate reader cameras to identify Brinson.
Police estimated the oak tree’s replacement value at approximately $50,000.
“We understand that people experience and express grief differently, but damaging public property and a memorial site is never an acceptable response,” Venice Police Capt. Eric Hill said in a statement. “Anyone found responsible for intentionally destroying public property will be held accountable.”
Two men killed in Venice crash at Patriots Park
The Aug. 17 single-vehicle crash killed driver Joseph Roberts, 28, and passenger Keith Sims, 60, according to Venice police.
First responders were called to Patriots Park at 4:20 a.m. The crash temporarily closed all northbound lanes of the U.S. 41 Bypass near the park while officers investigated and redirected traffic.
Police said speed appeared to be a factor in the crash, which remained under investigation when the victims’ identities were released.
Police did not identify the person who allegedly paid Brinson or say whether anyone else could face charges.
Brinson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Wade Tatangelo is the executive editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida dining and entertainment editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County man accused of cutting oak at fatal crash site
