Joshue Rafael Venegas, 30, was killed on Old Kings Road in Palm Coast early this morning (May 21) after his speeding car clipped a pick-up truck then careened off into brush before slamming against a concrete utility pole and bursting into flames.
The driver and two occupants of the pick-up truck were not injured, and the truck sustained minor damage.
The crash took place just after 3 a.m. south of Graham Swamp.
Brad Turner, 36, of Bunnell, was driving his Dodge pick-up south with passengers Angelo Walsh and Shannon Marty, according to Florida Highway Patrol investigators at the scene. Turner told investigators he saw a vehicle driving north swerve into his lane and clip his truck. Turner estimated the vehicle was traveling at anywhere between 80 and 100 mph.
The vehicle, a white Chrysler four-door owned by someone other than Venegas, clipped the left-rear tire of the Dodge, then ran off the road in one direction before swerving back left, or west, and, based on the trajectory investigators reconstructed in bright orange spray at the scene, sped straight into and across brush about 100 feet before striking the concrete utility pole. The vehicle wrapped itself around the pole, exploding in flames that reached high and charred the sides of he pole black.
It was not until 3:50 that a lieutenant with Fire County Fire Rescue confirmed a death inside the vehicle. But Air One was nevertheless asked to launch as a search continued for any possible individual who may have been ejected from the vehicle and severely injured. That search proved negative. Air One conducted a search in the surrounding woods, and at 4:22 reported that it was “unable to locate any heat signatures.”
The first Florida Highway Patrol unit arrived at the scene at 4:03 a.m. Next of kin notification was made at 9:47 a.m. at a house on Renmont Place.
The Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler County Fire Rescue and the Palm Coast Fire Police responded in addition to FHP and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. After sunup two utility trucks from Florida Power and Light arrived at the scene to repair the wiring crossing the utility pole, and a tree-trimming company stood by.
Venegas, whose last known address was on Renmont Court in Palm Coast, had had a few run-ins with the law, including a charge of driving on a suspended license with knowledge, and two years in state prison on drug charges. He was released two years ago, and worked hard to rehabilitate himself. He was employed at a Palm Coast pizzeria. Among his numerous tattoos, which told a story of their own and included a flag of Puerto Rico, a map of Florida, the sign for I-95, two homages to the AK-47, among other images of weaponry, and several Catholic symbols, were verses from Psalm 23, imprinted on his back: “Even though I walk/ through the darkest valley,/I will fear no evil,/for you are with me;/your rod and your staff,/they comfort me.”
This story was updated on May 23 with additional details from the 911 Dispatch Center.
New Yorker 13 says
My heart goes out to the family of Josh. Josh was such a sweetheart, he will be missed. May God bless all who knew him , and all his friends and family.
Anonymous says
Hey my heart goes out to the family on his friends he was a sweet kid he was a good kid everybody like them Myra golance just goes out to the family and his mom his step-uncle his whole family his friends I’ll always be there with you Josh you’re my best friend it’s hard losing a friend like that a close friend and Josh will be always be in my life
Les says
I also I always be missing you Josh it was always my best peace and love goes out to the family he was a good kid I’ll always love him and he always be in my heart
Geezer says
I didn’t know the departed, but feel bad for him and his family.
This was a young man with lots of life ahead of him.
My sympathies to the decedent’s family.
A young man has died and no one really knows the reason for
the speeding and seemingly reckless driving. It is not out of the
realm to wonder if Mr. Venegas experienced a seizure or other
event which led to his demise, and the threat to the other fellow.
Bad as this was, I am heartened to know that the gentleman
in the pickup truck (Mr. Turner) is ok minus a scuff on his rear tire.
That was as they say: “a close call.”
It is in bad taste to post insensitive remarks where relatives and
friends of the dead can readily read them.
The fellow is dead, that closes the matter.
Don’t add to people’s grief. There’s enough misery to go around.
Amy hunter says
I have known Josh for 20years when this article says about him isn’t the person he was. He was the kindest person I know. He would do anything to make someone feel better when they are down. Why did he even say anything about josh being in jail when most of Flagler county has been in jail for the same thing. And for his tattoos they meant something to him and that’s all that matters it’s not for you me or the next person to say anything about someone tattoos. Why not say how great he was at making pizza and how much he loved his job.
Baron Camper says
Josh lived across the street from me with his Mom.We didn’t talk a lot but we did talk while preparing for Hurricane Matthew last October.I never had a problem with him at all.We would always speak to one another weather he was walking his dog or washing his car.I feel really bad for his Mom (who is a very nice lady),his sister and his entire family.I went over to give my condolences to his Mom and could tell she was hurting as I consoled her.She kept telling me she misses her son.Now the healing process begins with help from family, friends and this neighbor across the street.You are certainly in my prayers.