The death of a man from Silver Springs Shores being dragged down a road while trying to repair a pickup truck attached to the tow truck he was driving has been officially classified as an accident, according to one Florida Highway Patrol report.
A report from the Medical Examiner’s Office obtained by: FHP Traffic Homicide Investigator Brett Detweiler states Brian “B” Marroquin’s manner of death was an accident. Marroquin’s cause of death was listed as compressional asphyxiation.
Marroquin was free of drugs and alcohol, the report said.
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FHP report
Detweiler, the trooper charged with investigating the May 3 death, said in his report that Marroquin went under the tow truck to repair the shift clutch when the vehicle rolled forward as Marroquin lay on the ground.
Marroquin was dragged about 28 feet. Marion County Fire Rescue officials who arrived at the scene put the tow truck in the park because it was still moving, Detweiler said in his report.
Troopers tested both the Ford F-350 pickup truck that Marroquin was towing and the tow truck itself for any malfunctions. The vehicles were not damaged or defective. Marroquin had just repossessed the vehicle when the incident happened, officials said.
Marroquin’s 9-year-old stepson was in the tow truck at the time of the accident.
Marroquin’s future wife
Lisa Lyons, Marroquin’s future wife, said her son is still grieving for his stepfather.
“He struggles with death. He still sleeps with me. I don’t want to pressure him,” Lyons said.
The little boy isn’t the only one trying to deal with Marroquin’s untimely passing.
“It’s hard. My life isn’t complete anymore,” Lyons said.
Lyons said Thursday was the first time she cooked a Chinese dinner for the family since Marroquin’s death. She said the family left Marroquin’s chair open at the dinner table.
“Every day is a struggle. He is missed. The children try to cheer me up,” she said.
Gofundme Account
The 38-year-old man lived with Lyons, who together have six children: four boys and two girls, ages 9 to young adults.
She said the two knew each other when they lived in Naples. They moved to Marion County in 2016. The couple first lived with her mother before moving into their own home in 2021.
Lyons said that Marroquin was a people person who was always cheerful, had a smile on his face and was a hard worker. He cherished her. Marroquin had proposed to Lyons a week before his death.
Marroquin worked for American Finance Adjusters and a gofundme page – Fallen co-sleeper, organized by Cinthia Vlaanderen – was made for the family because Marroquin was the supplier for Lyon and the children.
Lyons said the fund is intended to help her pay bills and other necessities until she can get back on her feet.
The goal is to raise $50,000. So far, the page has 46 donors with a raised $13,635.
Marroquin missing
Russell Ansell, owner of American Finance Adjusters, said they talk every day about Marroquin, which he described as the life of the company. He said that Marroquin looks down on them with a smile.
“He has blessed us with work. If he was here, he will work non-stop,” Ansell said.
From the gofundme page: “Brian loved to drag and he was also a well known DJ in Florida and traveled to do many charity events such as Relay for Life.”
The page also states that Marroquin “always talked about Lisa and the children, they were his main focus and motivation. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers, he has given so much to the world.”
Lyons said it’s not the same without Marroquin and she lacks his outgoing personality.
“When he was at home, he would sing and dance,” she said.
Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Troopers decide the accidental death of the tow truck driver; family needs help