Missing Florida Truck Driver Found Deceased in Coastal Georgia
A commercial truck driver hauling vehicles from Georgia to Florida has been identified as the man whose body was recovered in a coastal area of Georgia, shifting the FBI’s missing person investigation into a death probe.
The FBI announced on Wednesday that 41-year-old Alejandro Jacomino Gonzalez, reported missing earlier this month, was the individual found deceased. Gonzalez was last seen at the southbound I-95 rest area in Grant-Valkaria, Brevard County, Florida, a common stop for drivers on this route.
Gonzalez had picked up several vehicles at the Port of Brunswick in Georgia for delivery to Miami, a standard run for many professional drivers in the Southeast. He disappeared on April 16 while en route. Authorities noted that multiple vehicles from his load were missing, prompting immediate concern.
The Grant-Valkaria rest area, located along a busy stretch of I-95 in Central Florida, became the focus of the initial search. Between April 17 and the following days, the FBI requested public assistance, specifically seeking surveillance video, photographs, or witness statements from anyone present at or near the rest area between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. on April 17.
Federal investigators from the FBI’s Tampa and Atlanta field offices quickly launched a joint effort. The case originated in Florida but expanded after the body’s discovery in coastal Georgia, highlighting the cross-state nature of many trucking operations.
For drivers familiar with I-95 southbound, the Grant-Valkaria rest area serves as a key midpoint between Georgia ports and South Florida destinations. Routes like this one, from Brunswick to Miami, involve hauling import vehicles through high-traffic corridors where rest stops provide essential breaks during long hauls.
The disappearance raised alarms due to the missing cargo. Vehicle transporters often carry high-value loads, and any deviation from a planned route or delivery can signal issues ranging from mechanical problems to security breaches. In this instance, the absence of Gonzalez and several vehicles from his car hauler triggered the rapid federal response.
Professional drivers know these routes well. Starting at the Port of Brunswick, a major hub for vehicle imports, haulers navigate I-95 through Georgia and into Florida, passing rest areas like Grant-Valkaria before reaching Miami. Gonzalez followed this path but did not complete the trip.
The FBI continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Gonzalez’s death. The recovery of his body in Georgia, after his last confirmed sighting in Florida, underscores the challenges of tracking incidents across state lines in the trucking industry.
Drivers who may have information are asked to come forward. The FBI is seeking details on sightings of Gonzalez, his truck, or the car hauler anywhere between the Port of Brunswick and the Grant-Valkaria rest area.
This case serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in over-the-road hauling, particularly on familiar interstates where routine stops can intersect with unforeseen events. The joint FBI effort reflects the resources dedicated to protecting those who keep goods moving across state borders.