Flagler County roads were the scenes of two separate violent wrecks this morning that involved three cars and four people, one of whom, 21-year-old Victoria Ann Jordan of Palm Coast, was killed.
Jordan was a passenger in a 2000 model Toyota Camry driven by Kendall J. Thomas, 25. Thomas was driving south on US1 just before 2:30 this morning, north of the intersection with Matanzas Woods Parkway. Thomas was speeding, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. He failed to negotiate a curve. The Camry traveled onto the west shoulder of US1, striking several trees and overturning. Both Thomas and Jordan were ejected.
Jordan, a 2008 graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School, died at the scene. Thomas was taken to Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach with serious injuries. The FHP report indicates that neither Thomas nor Jordan was wearing a seat belt, and lists as “pending” the matter of whether alcohol played a role in the crash.
The second wreck took place at about 9:30 a.m. on I-95, just north of the weigh station. The wreck involved a gray minivan and a red Nissan Sentra, one driven by a man the other by a woman, both of whom reportedly were alert and conscious immediately after the crash before they were taken to a local hospital.
The van had rolled over and sat on its side, deep down the east shoulder of the interstate, facing northwest. The Nissa was upright but severely damaged, several paces north of the van, facing east. Identities of the drivers have not yet been released.
For her yearbook quote next to her portrait in 2008, Jordan had chosen a line by Tupac Shakur, the rapper and actor who was shot and killed in 1996: “During your life, never stop dreaming. No one can take away from your dreams.”
ol'sarge says
seat belts! seat belts! seat belts! This was a completely avoidable tragedy…my heart and prayers go out to both families involved
KKostka says
My heartfelt prayers go out to both families during this horrible time. My family has known Kendall since he was young; and he is a smart, funny, caring, kid who always wore a smile and worked hard for everything in his life. May God Bless you, Kendall. Be strong and don’t stop fighting.
Nikki says
I hate hearing stories of these young men and women being taken too soon. My senior year of high school, 4 of my friends left campus for lunch with 3 of them never to be seen again due to negligent driving. The 3 passengers died on impact and the driver is alive and well today. It is so very sad to me. My condolences to the friends and family of the victim. **Only the GREAT die young**
Charles Ericksen, Jr says
Sad story and ending, But seat belts do save lives.
Mike says
Seat belts are for race cars not street cars. They do not save lives, I know many people who would not be here today if they would have been wearing their seatbelt. Sometimes it’s best to not be locked down in a seat.
SSDD says
Mike, They’ll be picking you up one day…
I’ll buy your account that they can do damage as well, but I would venture to say that there are way more people saved than are killed wearing seat belts…
Jarrod says
I wish this article would’ve stated FHP report indicating the ruling out of the possibility of poor vehicle operation attributed to any alcohol use prior to his “failure to negotiate a curve” hmmm…here’s a hypothetical situation to consider. First off, alcohol affects your reaction time and judgement immeadiately. Second, if you check his Facebook, you discover yesterday, was his birthday. Folks, put two and two together….A twenty-something year old, SPEEDING AND LOOSING CONTROL at 2:30 a.m., most likely involved alcohol consumption in prior hours. I’m not saying he was DUI, by if not, why wouldn’t FHP immediately rule it out. Putting that situation aside, the bottom line is, a young woman, someone’s daughter, lost her life because of SOMEONE ELSES mistake. True, she made a decision to get into his car, and failed to use the provided restraint device, but I can almost guarantee, her foot wasnt on the pedal or wheel that made the decision ultimately ending up in both being ejected. “God Bless you Kendell”? seriously? How about “may the justice system have mercy on you when you face charges of vehicular manslaughter”. Your car, your actions= you go down. Your car, your actions, and DUI= grab your ankles because you’re facing 10-15 years pal. Which won’t bring this girl back home…there’s more to this than is being shown. And to the writer of this, how did it feel knowing your first attempt at this article, referred to this man as a woman…not once just a slip up, but twice. Sure you’re not leaving anything out? Maybe something a little more comdemning? Like it was his birthday, and he was driving under the influence? Or were you directed to keep a lid on it for public relations reasons? I have a voice, an opinion, and this fires my ass up. This woman didn’t have to die. IF….DUI was the cause for this horrific loss of innocent life ,other arrangements should have been made to ensure a safe arrival for both of them back to their homes, rather than assume he wasn’t too buzzed. Like the commercial says, buzzed driving, IS drunk driving. Looking back now, I’m sure he would’ve rather been pulled over and been arrested and nailed with a DUI than to have been rushed to Halifax, busted up as shit. And in addition, learning he took the life of the female brave enough to trust his decision to pilot what would end up her last ride ever in his death chariot, is gonna be harder to live with than a ticket,classes, loss of driving privledges or even the impact on his ego by manning up and admitting,”Hey, I can’t drive. I’m too messed up”. But hey, I could be completely wrong here. It just sounds to “convienent” to not be the underlying reason for the loss incurred by the Jordan Family. My deepest condolences to you and your family. I couldn’t imagine loosing my child by these means. And to Kendell Thomas, YOU have to live with the regret of the decisions you made last night. And I’M SURE that you now what you SHOULD’VE done. Because my friend, hindsight is 20/20. Too bad life doesn’t include a rewind button. I’m done and will be waiting to see if my prediction about this is brought to the attention of the general concensus, because I truly believe information is being with-held.
FlaglerLive says
Jarrod, information is not being withheld. Whether the wreck was alcohol related is “pending,” according to the FHP–neither ruled out nor ruled in as yet, though you’re right, that information should have been in the original story, and has now been added there.
Elizabeth Haven says
r.i.p tori i remember the time that you where up to camp ( in millinocket) ive been upset all day after hearing the news from your grandfather, my heart goes out to the whole family, love you
Anonymous says
I am the mother of the girl in the red car. I am very blessed tonight because I was able to bring her home and kiss her good night tonight. I am very grateful that she DID have her seatbelt on, because she flipped over a few times. Yes, she is very sore tonight and has a scratch on her neck from the seatbelt, but it did save her life. Now I would love it if they would catch the guy that brushed her car and caused all of this. The coward never even stopped to make she sure she or the other poor fellow was okay.
Ralph Belcher says
There have been eyewitnesses that reported the car was driving at speeds in the TRIPLE digits southbound US 1. No need for this senseless lapse in judgement.
ol'sarge says
mike…with all due respect, you are VERY naive. Seat belts are for safety in any type of vehicle. Saying a seat belt is more likely to hurt you than help you is like bungee jumping without the bungee cable because it might hurt your ankles. I have seen WAY more people, sons, daughters, and parents peeled off of the road because of an ejection than I have seen people injured because of entrapment. Please don’t spread your lunacy to your friends or you will end up at their funerals
Phil Chanfrau says
I hope Jordan’s parents gave her a big hug and told her they loved her the last time they saw her. It is the one thing that makes a tragedy like this even slightly bearable. Accidents like this one remind me that sudden. unexpected death deprives the loved ones of the opportunity to say our good byes. So, to all those parents out their, always say I love you when you say good bye to your children, and kids: always say goodbye to your parents. You never know…
Sally Akins says
Can someone with a better understanding of god and religion tell me why? Why are pedophiles and rapists out there ruining lives, and Tori with her ballerina’s posture and long beautifu hair and unlimited potential dies by the side of the road? My heart bleeds for her mom and little brother.
Godsgirl says
Sally, I know when things like this happen the first thing we wanna do is ask the question WHY? Sometimes things/life just doesn’t seem fair, but it’s all for a reason. God doesn’t cause death but sometimes it is a consequence of our own actions and sometimes He allows it to happen for a reason. What that reason is we may not know for a long time. When my grandfather died in 1995 at the age of 58 very unexpectedly, I asked why, but now I can tell you it was for me and my family and my family to come. Because of his death I am now no longer living in sin and hell bound, I am saved, set free and living for Jesus, as is a lot of my family now. So now we will spend eternity in Heaven. So although we may not know why right now and feel grief, there is one who can bring comfort and peace through it all if we just look to Jesus. We aren’t promised tomorrow, we are only promised today so live it in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, and live your life for Him so that you will know where you will spend eternity.
My prayers and sympathy are with the family, I can’t imagine the grief they are feeling right now. I pray for peace over them.
Billy Schwab says
My thoughts and prayers go out to both families. It is very difficult but remember God has his arms around both families..Kendall is employeed at Daytona Coca- Cola and our family wishes him a speedy recovery and if their is anything we can do please don’t hesitate to let us know…We Love you .Ken and Felicia i will continue to pray for your family and the young lady’s family..God Bless you all.AMEN
Amy says
I’m am great friends with Kendall and he would never do anything to hurt anyone. I have known him for 16 years he is a great person and he didn’t mean to hurt his girlfrend it was just something that happened and we all wish we can turn back time and change the things we have done in our lives. He will live with this for the rest of his life. Kendall I love you buddy and I can’t wait to see you soon. I’m here for you whatever you need.
Maureen C. Vitello says
It is with a heavy heart I write this post. First & foremost, may God Bless Victoria & Kendell as well as their families who are going through more suffering than I can imagine.
The life of a beautiful young girl was cut short because of this accident, it was an accident & I felt compelled to write this after reading Jarrod’s post. Apparently Jarrod does not have compassion for people who have made mistakes in their lives. I highly doubt this was done intentionally. “The one without sin may cast the first stone”.
I personally know Kendell, as well as the parents of this respectable fine young gentleman. I watched him grow from a sweet boy to a young man when we lived near one another. He needs many prayers in the coming days, months & years. My deepest condolences go out to all involved, I pray the good Lord will bring peace to these families.
Janice says
My heart goes out to Vic’s parents and brother. She was an awesome young lady. She was very polite, beautiful, and for being so young she really had it all together. RIP sweet Victoria, the world will truly miss you! I do not know Kendell, I hope he has a speedy recovery, and God be with him as he will feel this guilt forever. We all have to realize that accidents do happen. Victoria was very level headed, and I can’t believe she would have gone in the car if she knew he’d been drinking. God Bless
her family and her many friends. <3
Sir says
I spent a number of hot, sunny days with Vick at the beach and it tears my heart up knowing that I’ll never see her again. She was so beautiful and mature for her age. I wish it didn’t have to end like this. I hope this tragedy encourages us all to make better choices. You were an amazing girl, Vick. I will forever miss you.
allie says
jarrod is right my boyfriend lost his sister because of this guy so i dont care what anyone says kendall made a dumb ass decision and he has to live the rest of his life knowing he is the reason for victoria dying.
lisa says
I would like to say to both sides of the families my prayers are with you. No one knows what happen everyone making comments. All need to be said is prayers go out to both families. Victoria was a very sweet young lady, her mom did a great job with her being a single parent and she will truly be missed. Kendall was also a great kid and very mannerable. Parents can teach their kids to wear seat belts and let them know everytime they leave the house as well as teaching don’t drink and drive. All we need to know is Victoria loved him dearly and he loved her. I know for sure she would be highly upset with all the negative comments. Victoria handed her keys over to the driver due to she had trust in him and unfortunately it had to end up this way. This was not done intentionally it was an accident. All these false allegations need to stop. It is awful grow up people. They came all the way from St Augustine Beach across a bridge and alot of traffic. Kendall was 3 minutes from home with no intentions of this happening. Accident, Accident, Accident. God Bless to Both families.
Lisa says
Correction, they were in her car. My prayers goes out to both families. They truly loved each other it is sad it had to end this way. It is both parties fault. Yes he has to live with this. They both were good kids. It was an accident. Rip Victoria
diquon says
I feel there’s more to this story than we will ever know, accident or not alcohol and speed had everything to do with this..the silence and lies give it all away..everyone wants to point fingers and cover their own behinds but the reality is someone wonderful died because a series of bad choices took her life.it was a multitude of bad decisions on both parts, but a crime … a few where commited, and he needs to deal with the legal repercussions to their fullest extent.. and to Lisa just admit defeat your child is a loser and makes bad choices it looks bad when a almost 30yo man has his mommy fighting his battles still regardless of who’s car or what baby boys gonna have mansluaghter charges slathered al over your “good name” I understand fully it was an accident. But twisting the truth in his favor will be of no avail in the court room
lisa says
Victoria was a very sweet girl and my family loved her dearly. She will always be missed in my household. No one can every replace her. To her family we are truly sorry for yourt. This is something Kendall will live with for the rest of his life. Kendall is going through alot at this time emotionally, mentally and phisically of course he still have a long journey with civil & mentally. RIP Victoria and you will always be loved