Friend remembers UCF professor killed with brother in Casselberry crash

A former co-worker is remembering a University of Central Florida professor who was killed alongside his brother Tuesday afternoon when a suspected drug trafficker crashed into them in Casselberry.Christopher J. Marier, 42, and Tyler M. Marier, 40, died at the scene near the corner of Sunnytown Road and U.S. Highway 17-92, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.Daniel Baker, who worked with Christopher Marier as a professor at Appalachian State University in North Carolina for several years, said he was stunned when he heard the news."It's kind of the nightmare scenario that you never expect to land with someone you know so closely and then suddenly does," Baker said. "The word I've used all day is it just still feels really confusing. It doesn't feel like that update has happened yet or hasn't clicked yet."Baker said Christopher moved to Central Florida last year to work at UCF as an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice. Before entering academia, he served as a police officer in Southwest Florida."Initially hearing the news, it was just pure shock. But then hearing the circumstances was like the most tragic bit of serendipity I could paint it with," Baker said.The Seminole County Sheriff's Office released helicopter video Wednesday showing the moment of impact. The footage shows the suspect, 26-year-old Marquavious Tayvon Wheaton of Sanford, at times going more than 100 miles per hour before crashing into the brothers' gray SUV.A series of 911 calls captured the frantic moments after the crash."A car just came through here, passed me at about 100 miles an hour, and slammed right into another car," one caller said. "They definitely need medical. There's a car on fire right now. It's just catching on fire. Oh, my God, the car just burst into flames."Christopher and Tyler were pronounced dead at the scene. Wheaton was taken into custody and transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, where he currently remains. The sheriff's office said Wheaton has not been formally arrested, but charges for fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and dangerous excessive speeding over 100 mph are forthcoming.UCF released a statement mourning Christopher's death."We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Marier's family, friends, students, colleagues, and all who knew him. Although his time at UCF was brief, Dr. Marier quickly became a valued member of our community. Through his teaching, scholarship, and mentorship, he inspired students and made meaningful contributions to the Department of Criminal Justice. We are grateful for the impact he made on our students and our community, and our thoughts are with those grieving his loss." Dr. Gene Paoline, professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, also shared a statement:"Our department is deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless loss, and our hearts are with Chris' loved ones. He was a bright, accomplished, and thoughtful scholar who cared deeply about his students and colleagues. We are grateful for the time we had with him and the lasting impact he made on our department." "I'm going to miss him like crazy," Baker said. "But I also know that students that he's supported and affected positively are gonna have the same kind of feeling."