Last Updated: Nov. 17, 9:06 a.m.
The third wreck in the span of 19 hours on Flagler roads Wednesday took the life of David Anthony Adorante of Flagler Beach on I-95 late that evening.
The driver of the truck, Roberto Ramirez, 50, of Hialeah, Fla., felt the jolt and saw, in his rear-view mirror, the Nissan begin to flip many times. The Nissan came to rest facing north, straddling the right and center lanes, and leaving behind it a trail of car parts about 75 to 100 yards long. The Nissan was mangled beyond recognition. Adorante was pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics from the Palm Coast Fire Department arrived at the scene. He was extricated from the car at 11:22. Ramirez was not injured, but the rear tires and axle of the truck were severely damaged. The FHP estimates the truck’s damage at $6,000.
The interstate was shut down at the U.S.1 interchange several miles north of the wreck, and remained shut down after midnight as crews worked the scene. The highway patrol had been unable to find the driver’s identity: no wallet, no papers were discovered in the car, in so far as it could be searched. The Florida license plate connected the car’s ownership to a Flagler County man. But it could not immediately be confirmed that the man who drove the car was its owner. The car bore a specialty “Protect Our Reefs” license plate, carried by just 329 cars in Flagler as of November. The highway patrol released the identity of the men involved in the wreck Thursday morning after 8 a.m.
Adorante, who went by the name of Tony, was a graduate of Mainland High School and Kensington College. On his Facebook page, he listed Clint Eastwood, Ronald Reagan , Martin Luther King Jr. and George Demello among his inspirations, and had a penchant for 1970s music and culture: Jonathan Linvingston Seagull, the 1970 Richard Bach sensation, was among his favorite books.
Wednesday began with a single-vehicle wreck on U.S. 1, near Matanzas Woods Parkway (parallel to the night wreck on I-95). The U.S. 1 wreck took the life of 21-year-old Victoria Jordan, a Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate, and sent 25-year-old Kendall J. Thomas to Halifax Hospital. A second wreck involving two cars took place on I-95 at 9:30 a.m. northbound, just past the weigh station. Two people went to the hospital.
Warning: some images below may be disturbing to some viewers.
[email protected] says
do you think excessive speed was a factor?
Someone says
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
w.ryan says
Are we sure it was excessive speeding? Did the truck have anything to do with the it?
Jo Smho says
Yo we’z heard that crash outside our house. it went like DOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Crazy yo
The Truth says
My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
I just don’t understand what the big rush is. No one deserves to die, but this man had to have been driving at excessive speeds. Anyone on the road at this time is lucky he didn’t kill someone else along with killing himself.
Life is short but you don’t need to race through it. Slow down and enjoy every moment.
RIP says
You will be missed, Buddy. We will meet again.
Flagler says
My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. This is such a tragedy. He was quite a character and full of life. We will miss you greatly man!
Joanna says
The driver killed was my ex brother in law. He left behind 3 children. 2 boys and 1 girl. They are in the mid to late 20s. This is a very tragic thing that will leave a hole in all our hearts.
annoyed says
Why do some people automatically think that the truck driver was at fault? I have seen people driving passenger cars and trucks do a lot more stupid things on the road than semi truck drivers. I am sure that there were witnessing to him traveling at a high rate of speed or FHP wouldn’t have reported it as being a factor. As the daughter, sister, niece and friend of a lot of truck drivers I want to give you all a reminder
AN 80,000 POUND TRUCK WILL NOT STOP AS FAST AS YOUR 1,000 POUND CAR!!!!!!
Maria Pugliese says
Yes, he was full of life. I last bumped into him at Finn’s and he sang karaoke. Friendly and outgoing. Fellow mountain biker at Graham Swamp Conservation Area.
diane errair says
David …..a kind, helpful, caring friend. sending deepest condolences to his family and friends.
curiousandsad says
what possibly could have happened? don’t blame driver. too many crashes on I-95, especially lately in this area…….poor lighting, poor access and exit lanes, always road debris, truck weigh stations on both sides….. how can anyone know for sure how fast the car was going? what about rear lights on the tractor trailer…or being pushed into another lane by another vehicle……this is not an irresponsible person that was killed. quite the contrary….. sad for everyone concerned. a mystery.
Joanna says
We will never know why Tony was speeding or what exactly happened to him. His daughter is here in California with me (her Aunt) and her mom. She is very shaken up by what has occured. Her mom and I are trying to be there for her. Its a tragic situation. Noone will ever know why or how thing exactly happened. But from what I was told by his daughter, that stretch of highway is an acciddent in itself. She too was in an accident almost in the same area but the damage was to the truck NOT her. His kids will greatly miss him.
Jojo says
Most of the newer model cars have a gadget in them that can tell how fast the car was going and other incidentals.
xxxx says
Why even discuss fault. The bottom line is a great man died and it is tragic. Pray for all the families and friends that lost loved ones in horrific accidents in PC recently. today has been especially hard, for me and those close to me. Don’t place blame or even think to make accusations. love and be kind and understanding- And pray for strength.
Angel Loux says
The drivers son works for me and was very close to his father! My heart breaks for the family!
Alton Hill says
y do people play the blame game you shouldn’t blame any one it was just his time to go to a better place with all our loved ones who are no longer with us . I pray 4 all of those who have passed away and r at a better place. I hope god takes good care of them all. And I know that he will.
[email protected] says
look at the engine parts scattered along the roadway and i believe i see the transmission laying there in one of the photos’s. what happened was very excessive speed.
Truth says
That stretch of 95 is as safe as any other part. This guy was speeding and lost control. It’s unfortunate. My heart goes out to his family.
concerned says
i don’t believe anyone’s trying to “blame”. it was a horrific accident. people want to know what circumstances leads to things happening. Change even one small circumstance and the entire outcome can be different. Even officials on the scene have to gather the facts. And to have all the facts, if there were extenuating circumstances regarding the area it occurred, any vehicle failures, etc., can be corrected and protect others. Remember the cars with the sticky accelerators, they actually put people in jail for accidents that occurred until they found out it was the vehicles that failed. It’s natural for people to want to try to understand the entire picture. It’s necessary to know all the facts and circumstances. It’s not blame as in judgement. It’s to try to find the reason it occurred. Nevertheless, This is sad for the driver of both vehicles and any witnesses and their families and friends. traumatic.
Anonymous says
David and I were together for the past three months. He was a devoted, loving father. Spoke about his children every time we were together. He was so proud of them. He was very loving, caring, and compassionate and I send my condolences to all his children and family members. We lost a very special individual. He will never be forgotten.
Anonymous says
will always luv n miss ya uncle..even though i didn’t know you that well u were still family you will be missed <3
Someone from Miami says
My Condolences to the family of the deceased, but it bothers me the first of many doubters Comments that speed was the cause and much more those who blame the driver. he also has family and he is also very disturbed by the facts. They were exposed if David was not Drunk and super high speed to both families were happy today. but in the end everyone pays a price.
Alesya says
This was my next door neighboor, i just saw him a couple of days ago. My prayers go out to his family. He’s in a better place now.
Diane says
I’ve known Tony for almost 30 yrs. He was truly a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers to his family. Life will not be the same without you and all the memories you have given me. Till we meet again…
Stacy says
Tony was my 1st cousin and a wonderful person inside and out. I would see him every other year at our family reunions in Tennessee and he always had great stories to share with everyone. He will be missed by so many people that loved him !!! RIP Cuz..Love Ya….Stacy
sheila maxwell says
did not know this gentleman and am sorry for loss, i was there and with son and daughter in law among the first to try and help…my question is the sound of the motor which couldnt have been any louder or higher pitched, fully wound up…why???was something wrong with engine, the lane was clear for him to get around truck why hit it??? would really like to know…this has made us sick…
Bearwtme says
I never knew Tony, but my dear friend did for many years. She is devasted by his loss. She told me of their many conversations she had with him. He loved his family and his friends. Lets not focus on the errors committed that horrible night, because nothing can change what has happened. Lets just know that he is in a better place and he was spared the suffering of this tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers go to his Mom,who is suffering the loss of her son. We should never have to bury our children. To his sons and Daughter who will never grow up to have him know their children. He will be truly missed by many.
Scott Vogt says
David, Tony, DT; these are all names we called him, but to me he is my brother, dearest friend, confidant, and the one guy who I truly loved. Believe me, I am not the kind of guy who just says “I love You” to another guy, but let me tell you something: DT was special, not just to me, but to many of his friends and all of his family. Our families have been on more adventures than I can remember, his list of hobbies would fill a book.
I spent most of the day today at the accident site, looking for anything that may explain what happened. There were no skid marks, just a large debris field. I did, however, notice two round holes approx 6 inches around and 6 inches deep in the right lane maybe 50 feet BEHIND the accident scene. I took pictures if anyone wants to see. they looked dangerous to me and raises questions that may never be answered.
Susan, my heart goes out to you, Shell, Dan, David, and Chad. Know that DT was right with God and is serving him even now ( probably as his boat captain!). DT was a very capable and competent man, so I would disregard any uninformed or hurtful posts. Please dont let it bother you kids.
Dave,I will say it one more time, “I love you brother and will miss you terribly”.
Deb says
This was my cousin and he was a very loving, caring man. He always talked highly of his children and was very proud of them. He will be sadly missed. :(
Joanna says
We have heard many stories on what could have happened. I think the what coulda, shouldas, and wouldas need to stop. He may have been divorced from my sister, but he was still my bother in law. His oldest son was born when I was 8. I lived with him and my sister for a few years. He was always outgoing. He loved to ride his dirt bikes. His children will miss him dearly. Time will heal their wounds. But the healing can’t begin if people keep naggin at his speed. Maybe there was something wrong with his car. One person said it sounded like his engine seezed. I’m only thankful that he went quickly and didn’t suffer. Thats whats matters. Will miss you terribly Tony.
Benazir says
First came across this topic in a college textbook ‘Influence’ and was stunned and blown away by the research. I found this article online and thought it worth sharing…
Accident or Suicide? Single-Vehicle Car Accidents and the Intent Hypothesis
Journal article by Dennis L. Peck, Kenneth Warner; Adolescence, Vol. 30, 1995
http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=5001649302
SoSAD says
Tony was a great guy and a wonderful cousin of mine. I can only think from the looks of everything and what I read(no skid marks), I would guess he might of had a heart attack or black out. But yes, nobody will ever know what happened. All I know is he will be truly missed by all of his family members! Many thoughts and prayers for the family. R.I.P. Tony :(
vera voss says
Tony, my dear sweet nephew, will be so sadly missed by family and friends. we have no clue as to the reason for this horrible accident but what we do know is a fine young man lost is life far too soon. Tony will be sorely missed by the family at the reunions. He always took the time to come to Tennessee for his Mom’s side of the family and we are extremely grateful for the times we spent with him. RIP dear nephew until we meet again and leave a light on for me!! I LOVE YOU!! AUNT VERA
D&T311 says
“I miss my friend” goodnite love xo
D&t311 says
Thinking of you & missing you everyday. Till we meet again.