Brandon Charles Gregory Lewis faces vehicular homicide charges after allegedly running over Ashley Tyer, a tire shop employee who tried to stop him from leaving without paying, at Just Stop Tires in Mascotte, Florida. Tyer, 40, died from her injuries on March 21. Lewis, 33, remains in custody on $500,000 bond.
On March 16, at around 3:48 p.m., Brandon Charles Gregory Lewis brought his black Hyundai Equus to Just Stop Tires in Mascotte, Florida, for a tire replacement costing $95. According to a probable cause affidavit from the Mascotte Police Department, Lewis attempted to drive away without paying after the service was completed. Shop employees James Kelly and Timothy Watson approached the vehicle as Lewis removed the jacks and backed into Watson before stalling in the road outside the parking lot. Lewis exited the car and told the employees, 'You broke my car,' before retrieving an item from the trunk and returning to the driver's seat. Kelly and Watson noted the license plate and called police. Witnesses said Ashley Tyer, a seven-year employee, then stood in front of the vehicle to block Lewis. He allegedly drove forward, striking her and causing her to roll onto the hood. Police stated Lewis swerved in an apparent attempt to dislodge her before she was flung off, suffering life-threatening injuries. Lewis fled the scene. Tyer remained on life support until her death on March 21. Investigators linked the Hyundai to Lewis via surveillance video and damage including a cracked passenger-side windshield and a dented hood. During an investigative stop in neighboring Polk County, Lewis claimed he had been at the Hard Rock Cafe from noon to 4 p.m. that day and denied knowing Mascotte. He has a prior Ohio conviction for negligent vehicular homicide and a Florida driver's license suspended since 2021. Lewis appeared in court on Tuesday, where his bond was set at $500,000. He is held at Lake County Jail, with a next hearing on April 20. Kelly told WESH, 'Ashley stood in front of him so he wouldn't go, and he didn't care. He just scooped her up.'