Alex Taylor of Bunnell, 54, was killed while riding his bicycle on State Road 100, right in front of the Government Services Building, in an apparent hit and run either very late last night or before sunup this morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
State Road 100 westbound was closed from about 6:35 to 8:30 this morning. The victim’s body was removed at about 8:20 by the medical examiner. An autopsy will be performed.
Taylor’s death is the second in two days for a cyclist or motorcyclist on Flagler roads. On Monday, David Rocky, a 67-year-old Palm Coast resident, was killed while riding his motorcycle on U.S. 1, just north of the Flagler-Volusia line.
Taylor was riding west in the bicycle lane, toward downtown Bunnell, when he was struck either by a vehicle directly, or by something protruding out of a vehicle, the Florida Highway Patrol’s trooper S. Howard said at the scene this morning.
“We’re not really sure about pinpointing the time of the crash. We’re still working on that,” Howard said.
FHP is looking for leads–anyone who may have seen Taylor or any cyclist on SR 100 sometime late last night or early this morning should call 1-904-695-4115.
Taylor was wearing a light blue t-shirt and dark gray blue jeans. He was not wearing a helmet or a hat. His bicycle is a silver-white mountain bike with a black crate bungee-corded to the back.
A motorist noticed Taylor on the side of the road and notified a Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputy, who was in a cruiser in the county courthouse parking lot across the street. The deputy was notified at 6:22 a.m. It would have been difficult to see anything amiss, in the dark, from the courthouse parking lot.
Taylor was partially in the grass curb and in the bike lane. The bicycle was mostly in the bike lane, after the accident. The highway patrol is “making that assumption”–that it was a hit and run. Howard said. He added that it is possible for a vehicle carrying or trailing something, like lawn mowing equipment, to have that equipment hit someone and not sense it in the cab of the car. It was not yet possible Tuesday morning to determine how precisely Taylor was struck, as he had many abrasions. An autopsy was to be performed this morning.
palmcoaster says
My heart goes to the family of this victim. People gets killed in motorcycles and bicycles by aggressive drivers that have to be found and properly sent to jail. Long jail terms will make these drivers to respect more the lives of cyclist and motorcyclist in our roads.
Do they have surveillance cameras in the parking area of the government building across the street, that may have video de accident in order to catch the fugitive driver?
Another 64 years old also just killed by a careless agressive driver in Rte 1.
some guy says
Careless driver maybe. agressive driver ???? how would you know as no one saw what happend. but what we do know is a man is dead whos fault maybe the driver maybe himself or some combonation of . Why do so many ride the roads on bikes at nite without head gear and what looks like a bike unequiped for night riding as i saw no lights and no word if it had them.
Jenn says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Alex’s family. I always seen Alex riding his bike or walking it on my way home from work and it’s a shame that accidents happen like this! He was such a nice man! People need to pay more attention to their surroundings when driving anyime of the day, but more-so at night! Anytime that I did see Alex riding his bike in the dark, he did have a light on his handle bars and one on the back of the milk crate that is bungee corded to the back of his back.
Laura says
The tyranny of the urgent rules the roadways.
Since my son began riding a bike off our property, I have become acutely aware of the smaller, slower, modes of transportation that share the roads with motor-driven vehicles.
Following bicycle safety law increase his chances of safe arrival to his destination, but it is always a risk to share the road with cars & trucks.
Take an automobile drive through beautiful Walter Boardman Lane on any given Sunday.
You’ll need patient nerves of steel to maneuver the trees, narrow road, natural beauty, and bicyclists.
There is so much to see on our way to where we are going,
whether propelled by motor or human power.
Slow down and pay attention to what is going on around you.
Many who choose two-wheeled transportation are trying to do
just that.
I didn’t know Alex Taylor but my heart grieves for his family & friends.
{{* *}}
Rev. Beth Gardner says
My heart is heavy… Alex was a part of our church family. I saw him just yesterday walking his bike across the Belle Terre/SR 100 intersection… We honked and waved a greeting. We will miss his servant spirit, his presence in Sunday school and worship, and his helpfulness at SoulCafe on Wednesday. I pray his family gets answers and find comfort.
Jay says
I live in ny and alex was my uncle. he will be missed until we all meet again. As for all who knew him i would love to hear you share your experiences and good memories of him as i didnt get to know much about him because of the distance between us. out of what happend to my uncle I would have to say in todays society im not supprised to see that the person that took his life has not came forward. I can not speak for the rest of my family nor his friends but as i speak for myself i do not wish any harm on the person that took his life i only hope the person can forgive themselves for what has happend im not old yet i know life is precious. I try to put myself in the persons shoes that hit him for the fear of being arrested, having to face the family of the person that has passed, the pain of knowing that the breath and life will never fill his lungs again. its a sad world we live in these days where a person has to leave another person on the side of the road in fear of prosicution. I loved my uncle and wish i had been able to know him and see him more than i had. god bless and forgive us all for our sins. to the rest of the family and all that knew him thank you for your prayers and blessings they are appreciated. as for the person that took my uncles life i pray you will ease your mind and turn yourself in so my uncle can rest and our family will have some closer. god bless all of you.
Gwen Barath says
Alex was headed to labor finders early each morning to try to get work. He knew that you have to be there ahead of the rest to have the opportunity to work that day. He was a fine christian man and knew that in death he would be present with the Lord. Brad Paisley’s song “When I get where I’m going” reminds me of his outlook on life. I saw him almost every day as he came by the church to see if I needed any help or just to chat and have a cup of coffee. His subtle humor and kindness will surely be missed. Last Wednesday I took his picture with my cell phone and I am so glad I did. First United Methodist Secretary, Gwen
Ask says
Are there cameras on the courthouse that would have recorded the event? The bike doesn’t appear to be damaged-was this a hit and run or possibly another type of crime? My heart goes out to this young mans family.
PJ says
Who ever you are you know you drove past this man so you know you hit him. Yes an accident but non-the-less you know you hit him.
He was a human being respect him by turning yourself in.
My prayers for the family and Mr. Taylor.
notasenior says
As an avid bicyclist, and in light of the posts from those who knew the victim, I find this very sad. Someone is cut down by a person who didn’t have the decency to help his victim. Shameful!
Too many drivers are too aggresive around bicycles and have adopted the idea that the road belongs to them. Enforcement is the only way to control this.
With that said I will say that I often bike Colbert Ln or John Anderson and the truck drivers that use that use those roads generally (8 times out of 10) give me plenty of room and for that I am grateful!
bunnell resident says
I have known Alex for several years. He lived only a few doors down from me. Something that does not make sense about this accident is : as long as I have known him, he would always be walking his bike down the sidewalk. As the photo shows there was no apparent damage to his bicycle. This makes me wonder if he was jumped and beaten? It is such a shame that a man as quiet and kind as Alex would have meet his end in this matter. I can only suggest that Heaven now has another true angel there!
anonamouse says
i know alex was a good man.I will miss him.It is devistateing that someone did this ,I just hope it was an acident.
BOOK LADY says
I am so sorry to here of the death of Alex Taylor He was a real sweet man. He would come into the library in Bunnell each day to see how my day was going. Alex had very little material possessions, but would give you all he have if you needed it.During a conversation with him, he heard me say I forgot my lunch that day. Even though he had very little to give, he offered to by my lunch. He probably would have not eaten so that I could. I will truly miss him and we will all miss a great friend. Alex, my Friend, rest well in the arms of Jesus.
MARK W says
I posted in another article that I could see him in fog or dark as I passed him at 5am going from the mondex. I can see the red light at the end of the plastic egg crate in these pictures. If the battery is good they had to see him. He also rode on the very edge of the right lane going to Bunnell. I would pass him on 100 going east and he was allways well away from traffic.