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Restaurant Vows To Carry On After Owner Killed In Crash

    The pizza oven is on, and orders are being taken this week at downtown Eustis’ El Marie restaurant.  The establishment remains operational after a SR 19 crash on Thursday, September 25, claimed owner Aaron Belair.
    The crash occurred Thursday mid-morning on a stretch of SR 19 between Umatilla and Eustis, in the Dona Vista area.
    Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate Belair was riding a 2025 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on SR 19 in the Dona Vista area, when he made a U-turn into the southbound lane and into the path of a 2011 Ford F150, which was in the inside lane.
    The truck struck the motorcycle, with the motorcycle becoming lodged under the truck as they slid into the median area of the highway.
    Belair, 57, was airlifted to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital in critical condition, and was later pronounced deceased.  The driver of the truck, a 51 year-old Umatilla man, was not transported and remained on scene.
    The crash remains under investigation.
    The Florida Highway Patrol does not release names of those involved in crashes, but word spread quickly Thursday afternoon that Belair was involved in the crash, and the restaurant confirmed the situation in a Facebook post Thursday afternoon.
    “We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved friend and owner tragically passed away,” said a post on the restaurant’s page.“Aaron was more than just the heart of El Marie Pizzeria - he was a friend, a community supporter, and a familiar smile to so many in Eustis.”
    The restaurant closed on Thursday after the crash, but reopened on Friday.
    “We will continue business as usual - just as Aaron would have wanted - to honor his dedication and love for this community.”
    Staff at the restaurant on Monday, September 29, said any funeral arrangements for Belair had not been finalized, and any plans would be posted on the restaurant's Facebook page at the appropriate time.