Teen survives brutal attack with major artery missed by millimeters
By Pamela Comme
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DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (WESH) — A day meant for family fun during Daytona 500 weekend turned into a close call for a teenager after a random attack left him seriously injured.
“We are so lucky our son’s alive. The doctor said if it would have been one millimeter deeper, we’d probably be having a different conversation,” said Jerod Clarke, the boy’s father.
The teen received 13 stitches after the attack Saturday night. Lori and Jerod Clarke said they were spending time on Ocean Avenue in Daytona Beach when a man approached their son.
“He had sort of a strange look in his eyes. And then he went up to my son, and I saw this motion, this, like motion. And I thought, oh, he’s stealing his phone,” Lori Clarke said.
The Clarkes quickly realized that was not the case. They said 44-year-old Jermaine Long targeted their son and cut his neck.
“It was crazy. I mean, I saw my son’s neck totally gashed open. I could see the meat in his neck. It was crazy,” Jerod Clarke said.
“It was absolutely horrifying. I was terrified. I couldn’t believe that could happen so quickly. And that anyone would do that,” Lori Clarke added.
When police arrived, they found Long and arrested him. He is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
After his arrest, the family said they learned Long is a registered sex offender with a criminal history involving drugs and battery.
The teen’s parents said he belongs behind bars.
“I want him locked up. And there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll do it again if he gets out,” Jerod Clarke said.
Despite the trauma, the teen still wanted to attend the race the following day. The family has since returned home to Delray Beach and is focused on his recovery while hoping for justice.
Long is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail on a $50,000 bond.
WESH 2 recently reported that police plan to have a 24-hour patrol unit in the boardwalk area by April to increase safety.
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