Simmons and her politician father pictured on Instagram.
The surfer model daughter of a Florida Republican politician was severely injured after a drunken boat crash early on the morning of April 5, according to cops. Click Orlando reports that the boat which crashed into a dock on Lake Maitland was registered to State Senator David Simmons. He told the station that his daughter, Alicya Simmons, 18, was onboard the vessel and had been injured in the crash. David Simmons added that she was with friends celebrating a birthday at the time of the accident.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Her Dad Says the Boat Was Taken Without His Permission
BREAKING: exclusive @WESH video of boat that crashed into dock on Lake Maitland. 3 people injured, 2 may be critical
State Senator David Simmons told Click Orlando that the boat was taken without his permission. He confirmed to the station that he was not onboard the 22-foot SeaDoo. The crash occurred just after midnight on April 5. David Simmons told the Orlando Sentinel that he got a call telling him about the crash at around 2 a.m. He added that his daughter was “doing okay.”
Simmons suffered a broken femur in the accident and has undergone surgery. Fox Orlando reports that two other people were seriously injured in the crash, their exact conditions have not been released. Some of the victims refused treatment at the scene, according to Click Orlando.
The boat is registered to D. Simmons Properties, LLC, reports the Orlando Sentinel.
2. Her Aunt Has Been Arrested in Relation to the Crash & Is Accused of Being Drunk While Driving the Boat
According to David Simmons, his daughter wasn’t driving the boat when it crashed, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The newspaper says that police in Maitland, Florida, have arrested Simmons’ aunt and David Simmons’ ex sister-in-law, Krystyna Vitiello, 45. She’s accused of being drunk while driving the boat and was not injured.
A neighbor who talked with victims says 2 men were thrown from boat into pool and suffered head injuries, pulled from water unconcious.
Click Orlando reports that there were eight people on board the boat when it crashed, including “several teens.” A fire official told the station that speed may have been a factor in the crash. That official said, “The boat crashed into the dock, so it’s mostly out of the water, and it’s pretty much stuck on the back dock right now.”
The Maitland Police Department as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are investigating the incident. My News 13 reports that Vitiello is being held at the Orange County Jail.
One resident of the area told My News, “The peninsula can sneak up on you if you don’t know or if you’ve never been in swamp area or on the water at night. It can be very difficult to navigate without lights.” The station adds that David Simmons owns a home on the lake. According to Florida Politics:
Lake Maitland is a large and popular Central Florida boating spot, one of the few large lakes in the area with a public boat ramp.
The lake, which is in the corporate boundaries of both Maitland and Winter Park, is ringed by luxury homes, most of which have their own private docks.
The lake also connects, via navigable canals, to several other lakes in the chain.
3. She’s an Aspiring Competitive Surfer & Is Planning to Spend Next Winter in Costa Rica
Simmons’ social media pages are littered with photos and videos detailing her aspiring surfing career. According to her Facebook page, she lives in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
On her Hook It profile, she writes:
Im a 17 year old comeptetive surfer from New Smyrna Beach, FL. I am traveling and competing all over. My next winter I will be spending a few months in Costa Rica.
That profile also lists a series of surfing achievements.
In addition to her surfing career, Simmons is also involved in a charity, Develop Africa, which seeks to create scholarships for kids in Sierra Leone. She writes on Give Forward:
My dad and my mother both grew up in the lower class and were able to use higher education to create themselves. I am able to recognize the importance of higher education and want to make that possible for every kid.
Back in October 2015 she posted a photo of her and her Dad to Instagram calling him her “biggest supporter.” On March 16, she tweeted that she just got her first tattoo:
4. She’s Appeared in Political Ads for Her Dad
A political ad featuring Alicya Simmons that appeared in November 2014. (Facebook)
Simmons’ father is a Republican state senator from Florida’s 10 district. He represents areas including Seminole County and Volusia County. He’s the chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules.
An anti-David Simmons blog post from Press Release Point criticized him for his action of using daughters to promote his political campaigns. In addition to Alicya, he has another daughter, Krysia Simmons.
Prior to entering politics, Simmons was a practicing lawyer, among his clients was disgraced boy band manager Lou Pearlman.
5. Her Parents Had 6-Year Divorce Which Resulted in Simmons’ Mother Signing a Non-Disparaging Agreement
State Senator David Simmons’ ex-wife, Alicya Simmons. (Facebook)
The earlier mentioned anti-David Simmons blog post from Press Release Point says that David Simmons divorce from his ex-wife took six years. She’s also named Alicya Simmons. The end of the divorce came when she agreed to sign a non-disparaging agreement against her former husband.
According to her LinkedIn page, she’s a commercial real estate broker in New Smyrna Beach. On her Facebook page, it’s also evident that she is a passionate surfer.