Army veteran, 26, dies on his birthday after being run over by 8 cars

An army veteran is being mourned by his family after he was tragically killed on his 26th birthday after being hit by eight cars.

John 'Jack' Dyer had been riding his motorcycle at around 6.30 PM on December 17 - his 26th birthday - when he lost control and fell off the bike.

Tragically, he was then killed after being hit by eight cars on US Highway 27 and Frank Jarrell Road in Lake County,

His heartbroken family has since spoken out about the "nightmare" of losing their loved one in such horrific circumstances.

His father, also called John Dyer, told FOX 35: "It's a nightmare, it's horrendous, it's just crushing. The first car probably killed him.

"I don't think he suffered, but how did all of those cars just keep running him over? He's not a deer in the road, he is a human being."

Dyer's family had sent him text messages wishing him a happy birthday on December 17, but received no response despite his mom even leaving him a voicemail.

The family was informed of his tragic death on December 19 when police officers knocked on their door, with the father adding: "Two cops from Suffolk County came to my door and asked for the family of John Dyer.

"I assumed he got a ticket or something and then they told me he died in a motorcycle accident. It's devastating, I didn't know how to tell my wife."

Dyer, who was originally from Russia, had been adopted by the family at five years old and grew up in New York before moving to Orlando after high school.

His parents were stunned when he expressed his desire to serve his country as a paratrooper, as he had been afraid of heights.

Dyer's father added: "I don't know how he does it, he just overcame his fears. He was afraid of the water, and then he became an avid surfer out in Montauk, Long Island. He was full of life."

The young man's death is the second tragedy to befall the Dyer family in recent years as their elder daughter Katy died during the pandemic.

The Dyers have been turning to their faith to cope with the loss of their son, telling the outlet: "God doesn't tell us when we have a full life. You can have a full life when you are one month old, or a full life when you're 99. God chose Jack's time, he didn't ask me. That's for sure."

According to reports, a traffic homicide investigation is underway by the Florida Highway Patrol and no further updates are currently available.

Our thoughts remain with the Dyer family at this heartbreaking time.

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