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Pedro Riera, 48, Is Killed in Motorcycle Wreck on White View Parkway in Palm Coast

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pedro riera white view parkway wreck
The point of impact on the Pontiac Bonneville. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

Pedro Riera, 48, a resident of 16 Wittlesey Lane in Palm Coast, was killed late Wednesday night as he rode his Harley Davidson motorcycle into a car that was crossing White View Parkway, at Rolling Sands Drive, in Palm Coast.

Florida Highway Patrol investigators at the scene said speed and a badly placed city sign that blocked the view of the driver of the car involved may have played a role in the fatality.

The wreck took place at 10:10 p.m.

Shelby Cuccurullo, 21, was at the wheel of a four-door, 1993 Pontiac Bonneville. She had rolled to a stop at the stop sign at Rolling Sands and White View, as she was about to cross White View to make a left on the parkway. White View at that point is a four-lane parkway divided by a wide median of grass and trees.

A car was driving east on White View and had slowed to make a right turn on Rolling Sands, investigators said. The driver of that, who was interviewed by one of three investigators at the scene, made the right turn. As he did so, Cuccurullo thought the coast was clear, investigators said, and pulled forward to make her turn.

In fact, Riera had sped up in the right lane, riding up to the car that was making a right turn on Rolling Sands. The car made the right turn, Cuccurullo pulled forward, and Riera slammed into her Bonneville’s left-front side.

Riera was ejected 62 feet, landing by a tree in the median, his right leg almost amputated. He was losing blood and was in and out of consciousness.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Howard happened by the scene immediately after the crash, and tended to Pedro Riera, who was in and out of consciousness. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)
Florida Highway Patrol trooper Steve Howard happened to be driving in the area immediately after the wreck–perhaps a minute or less after it happened. “I was first on scene and I attempted to provide first aid as best I could,” Howard said. “When I got here he was in pretty bad shape, he was unconscious, he was wearing a helmet.” Howard told Riera to stay with him as a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy–Mark Reeves–arrived at the scene and helped block the area of the crash scene “to prevent injury to anybody else,” Howard said.

Cuccurullo, who was not injured, was outside her car. “She was distraught and she was standing maybe 10 feet from the motorcycle operator, I think she was in shock,” Howard said. Cuccurullo stayed at the scene until about 11:30 p.m., when she recovered a few items from her car before it was towed, along with the motorcycle, by John’s Towing, and the intersection cleared of debris. The intersection was reopened at about midnight.

Shortly after the crash and Howard’s call to other emergency personnel, the Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler County Fire Rescue and the Palm Coast Fire Police were at the scene. Riera was flown to Halifax Hospital by Volusia County’s Air One (Flagler County’s Fire Flight is taken out of service at 8 p.m. because of budget cuts. Air One is not always available, but was on this occasion.) Riera died of his injuries at the hospital.

Though an FHP crash report notes that questions of alcohol involvement are pending, officials at the scene found no apparent signs of alcohol. (An FHP press release incorrectly identifies the victim as Pedro Rieva, the name other news outlets have been disseminating this morning.)

But two factors did stand out to investigators. First, the speedometer on Riera’s motorcycle (a black 1994 Sportster) had been immobilized at a reading of 63 or 64. White View Parkway is a 45 at that spot. Investigators said that on sudden impact, the final reading of a speedometer is usually an accurate reflection of the actual speed at which the motorcycle was last traveling.

The Lehigh Woods sign, clearly visible between the utility pole and the hedge, partially blocks the line of sign of motorists stopped at the stop sign and looking west, at eastbound traffic, on White View Parkway, and may have been a factor in the crash, FHP investigators said. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)
Second, there is a large, squarish Lehigh Woods sign that sits on the south shoulder of White View Parkway, and that partially blocks the view of oncoming traffic from the west, going east, the direction Riera was travelling. Cuccurullo would have been looking down that way as she was readying to make her move forward, but, especially if Riera was traveling at the speed indicated by the speedometer, would not likely have seen him in time: investigators said that, after interviewing the witness (the driver of the car that made the turn onto Rolling Sands), that witness said that Riera had not been behind him, but suddenly rode up on him as he was making the turn.

Positioned at the crossing point of Rolling Sands and White View, a motorist’s view of eastbound traffic on White View is significantly blocked by the Lehigh Woods sign.

Charges are pending in the crash.

Shelby Cuccurullo, in the plaid shirt, who was at the sheel of the Pontiac Bonneville in the crash, is comforted at the scene. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

The speedometer on Riera’s Harley Davidson, immobilized at its last reading by the sudden impact. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

The Bonneville’s left front. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

The Lehigh Woods sign, looking east, partially blocking the view of traffic on Rolling Sands Drive behind it, and vice versa. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

Another view of the Lehigh Woods street sign, looking west from Rolling Sands Drive. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

Pedro Riera’s motorcycle. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

The fatal intersection: Pedro Riera struck the Bonneville roughly near the light post in the center of the picture, and was thrown 62 feet, coming to rest against the second tree from the left, in the median. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

Point of impact. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

One of the victim’s shoes, on the edge of the median. Click on the image for larger view. (© FlaglerLive)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  8. James E. Crockett Sr. says

    Pedro was a nice guy!! The last time I saw him we joked about our wives who work together while he was helping me fix my car. Our prayers are with his family.

  9. fb says says

    Our deepest sympathy to the victim and the young driver. We in the city pay big bucks for a traffic engineer and code enforcement who don’t do thier job. Look at the crossover on palm coast parkway next to beall’s they landscaped so merging west bound onto the parkway you have to pull into traffic.

  10. bunnell boy says

    Hats off to trooper howard for what he did for this victim. Its a shame other area troopers are not given credit for their good deeds. The editor of flagler live was given a story months ago by me about a area trooper that brought a dead women back to life using cpr. By the way she is doing great and was mighty glad this trooper saved her life. Its a shame flagler live has yet to run this story and this was months ago. But i guess thats the way it goes…

    [Bunnell Boy, sorry about that missed opportunity. We only have a few dozen reporters here, and reporters–as you probably know–are not exactly examples of great work ethic.–FL]

  11. JL says

    Prayers to his family and friends. I wish there was some way of stopping all of these deadly accidents.

  12. rhonda barron says

    Pedro was one of the funniest, sweetest men I knew. His sense of humor and energy was infectious and kept all of us at the flea-market on our toes. To say he will be missed is a great understatement. My prayers and condolences to his beautiful wife, four lovely daughters and extended family.

    with much love
    rhonda, jessica and hayden barron

  14. Jose A. Delgado Riera says

    Our condolences to his inmediately family in this lost. Cousin you will be missed. God give serenity
    and peace, to Celine, daughters and to all our family.

  15. Rigo Vega says

    Pedro was my friend from Ponce, Puerto Rico. We used to drive vehicles alike ( Mitsubishi Montero Convertible) back in the early 90’s. I was fourtunate to meet with him again at Daytona Beach,Fl and work together for over 4 years. My condolences to his wife and 3 daughters from a friend who really appreciated him.

  16. laura D says

    Pedro always lit up a room when he walked into it & everyone knew he was there!! He will be sorely missed!! Vaya con Dios !! Condolences to Celine, & rest of Family!!

  17. Claire says

    Prayers and love to the family and friends mourning his loss. And thoughts are also with the young woman involved in this accident.

  18. Anonymous says

    Hey Alfonso,
    You probobly didn’t know that we were planning on meeting you and Colo this weekend there in Houston. The Lord will even work though all this. Love, Rita Lourdes

  19. Keith Harris says

    I worked with Pedro when he was working at Daytona Nissan and just saw him a month ago at Daytona Nissan with his wife and his girls. Pedro was always a fine gentleman and a great co worker. My heart goes out to all of his family and so do my prayers. God Bless you Pedro and we will all miss you.

  20. Traci says

    He was part of the Advance Auto Parts Family our team here at store 9530 st augustine Florida sends his family our deepest thoughts and prayers

  22. Hunter says

    Please come out on August 18th, At Bunnell or Palm Coast Advanced Auto Parts To Support The Family. The Fund Raiser Will Begin Around 11am And End Around 2pm. Bring Family And Friends. Donations Are Being Taken Up Now At Both Of The Advance Stores.

  23. palmcoaster says

    Pedro’s wife needs to contact the same attorney that Mrs Fisher daughter contacted Allan Ziffra of Rue and Ziffra in Daytona Beach, in order to receive a settlement over the loss of her husband and father of her daughters. See Fischer news settlement reported then:
    https://flaglerlive.com/34106/wrongful-death-jamesine-fischer/

    No matter the 60 MPH alleged or clocked on Pedro’s Harley, as his right of way was violated and caused his death. Ask also local Attorney Phill Chanfrau. Additional to this compassionate fund raising. The Almighty may watch over them.

  24. Hunter says

    I am sorry Donations are being taken at the Bunnell store only, but both stores will be having a cookout. Bunnell will also be hosting a car show on the 18th with the Corvette club so come on out and bring the family.

  26. Hannah Nulf says

    When i would go to my dad`s work i would ask if pedro is there and if he was then i would help him put stock up!!!!!!

  27. family says

    ok i know this was about 2 months ago but i just read this and it states that they brout him to halifax but they never really did i just wanted to make that clear

  28. Linda Torres says

    I just learned of this tragic loss this past weekend. Pedro was an incredible human being. I met him at Dayton Nissan through a family member while purchasing a new car. He was outgoing, had a wonderful sense of humor and respect for his customers and made us feel at home. We are from Ponce also so we had a lot in common.
    Rest in peace and I pray that his wife and daughters, whom he loved so very much, have found the strength to carry on.
    Such a tragic loss. As drivers we all need to be aware of other vehicles especially motorcycles.

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