Last Updated: 8:05 a.m.
Belle Terre Parkway from Rymfire Drive north was shut down after 5:45 this morning after a car struck a cyclist about 75 yards north of the intersection with Ponce de Leon Drive. An unrelated three-car wreck then took place across the road.
The cyclist, Rodney Campbell, 34, of Palm Coast, was seriously hurt and transported to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach, but his injuries appear to be non-life-threatening, a Florida Highway Patrol investigator said.
The bicycle was in the grassy median of Belle Terre, and debris from the man’s bike, including some clothes, a bag of recycled cans and a Superman cap, was strewn in the left and right lanes of the two-lane road. The 2008 Mazda sedan that struck the man was in the right lane, a few yards behind the wreckage.
According to the investigator, Craig Medvid, 50, of Palm Coast, who was at the wheel of the Mazda, was driving north, Campbell was riding in the outside lane of Belle Terre–without lights on his bike (which is against the law) and without deflectors at the rear of the bike. Medvid never saw Campbell “until he was right on top of him” the investigator said. Medvid was “definitely not at fault,” the FHP investigator said.
The wreck took place around 5:45 a.m. Soon after emergency personnel arrived at the scene, a second wreck took place across the road, in the southbound lanes, when three cars collided in succession. Drivers were most likely slowing down and looking across the road to see what had happened, the FHP investigator said, triggering the crash. Two of the three cars were severely damaged. One was mildly damaged. None of the occupants in any of the cars was injured. But Belle Terre’s southbound traffic was reduced to one lane. (There is no traffic light at Belle Terre and Ponce de Leon.)
The three-car wreck involved a Nissan Altima, first in line of the wrecked cars and least damaged. It was struck from behind by a white Chevy Malibu, which was itself rear-ended by a maroon Hyundai. The Chevy was the most damaged.
John’s Towing arrived at the scene at 7 a.m., and an official there said the southbound lanes would be reopened to traffic soon. All lanes in both directions were open by 8 a.m.
A Florida Highway Patrol investigator arrived at the cyclist crash just before 7 a.m. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the secondary crash. The Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue units responded to both wrecks, with the Palm Coast Fire Police at the scene, controlling traffic.
Nannette says
This is the EXACT reason we need lights on all the major roads in Palm Coast!
Bill says
Its not lights that are needed its stupid people that are NOT needed. The guy on the bike was donning just about every thing wrong! Wrong place on the road ,NO reflectors, No lights a muliti use path on either side of the road to use and one wishes to say we need more lights?
lfred says
Nannette…. before you go ahead and spend the extra monies (which will come from the tax payers) for lights, how about ticketing the bikers who do not have lights or reflectors?
I’m sorry he ended up in the hospital but he broke the law!
Dave says
There is a wide, cement bike/walk path on both sides of Belle Terre at that location. Why was the bicyclist riding on the roadway in the dark?
Anonymous says
Forget the lights…We need drivers that pay attention to what is going on…People can never stay in their lanes in this city. They are either texting, reading, shaving, putting on makeup or doing God know’s what else while they are driving…It is absolutely appalling. We have lived all over the country and Florida drivers are by far the worst…If you can’t drive or don’t feel comfortable doing so, STOP! If you have an elderly family member that is a danger to themselves or others, consider having a chat with them about being done driving…And for the love of GOD, please stop texting and driving…It can’t be that important for my life to be in danger because of your stupidity and ignorance. Also, the city really needs more lights and side walks for the bikers to utilize…But if you’re going to bike on a busy rode, make it so people can see you…I am sending prayers for he and his family!
Groot says
At least he was riding with traffic. I constantly see people riding bikes into traffic here. If he had been riding into traffic, it would have been worse. Yeah, we need lights and we need sidewalks too on all streets including residential streets. We need storm sewers instead of swales and sidewalks where the swales are now.
cindy says
My thoughts exactly Dave.
Andy says
I used to ride with traffic in all other states. Now that I moved to florida I ride on the sidewalk whenever it is possible or against traffic bc of how many riders have been struck by vehicles or morons who honk their horn when they are approaching a bike rider from the rear. I prefer to at least see what is coming so I can get as far over as possible with these reckless and aggressive drivers in the PC area.
It’s probably not technically the right way but i feel much safer while riding.
Bill says
We don’t “need” lights all over. We need people who are responsible and follow the rules of the road. I grew up in a very rural place had NO street lights as kids we knew to stay out of the way of cars. we didn’t have walkways and bike lanes just moved off the road when a car came . Also I really don’t want street lights on all our roads not just for the added cost to us but I like it dark outside so we can see the stars at night.
Freddy says
Groot,
Are you volunteering to pay double your taxes to get your wish list projects done? I’m not. It is the fault of the man on the bicycle for riding in the dark without lights.
Horse With A Name says
Yes I stated a week or so ago about the storm sewers versus swales after the flooding. Bad infrastructure in this “master planned” community. I am not sure about here in palm coat but in manatee county its illegal to ride your bike on a sidewalk. That’s why they have bike lanes. There are also bike laws that outline which direction you must ride into, in regards to traffic. Bike laws vary6 so widely from place to place. In Michigan for example you are required to ride into facing traffic, I reckon this way you can see danger approach and do a last minute swerve to get out of the way :) I am not a expert on this but I am pretty sure that riding in florida requires you to follow the same traffic rules into cars, which well means you cant see danger approaching from behind. I also know that in some places you have to walk your bike across the crosswalk, I see people riding their bikes across it al the time.
Then of course there is the issues of lights helmets reflectors etc.
Bikes are like motorcycles, you are suicidal to ride one in florida with the aging population. The amount of un licensed drivers etc. Don’t get me wrong I love my dirt bike, on a dirt track :) I have never and will never own a motorcycle for street use. That’s a death wish. Maybe down some empty desert highway but around here, no way. Glad the guy was not injured to horribly. But cities really need to re-examine their bike laws and make them known. With florida being a melting pot of different people from different states, bicyclist need to be better informed of local laws as these laws vary widely from state to state.
Just my 2 cents :)
Outsider says
They have all of that stuff in New York City.
Horse With A Name says
Oh and forgot to comment on the look e loos, that caused the car accident. Really people. I cant stand when people slow down to nose at a accident scene. is your life that boring you have to get a good look at the gruesome aftermath and cause a accident in the process. Look at your cars that’s what you get. You know how many accidents are caused every time a accident happens as a result of people just having to get a good look. You are operating a motor vehicle keep your eyes on the road !!!! Someone, the driver in the middle, needs to be charged with reckless driving in that accident. The one behind him needs to learn to watch the vehicle in front of him not just his tail lights, because when the one in the middle failed to stop the one in the rear didn’t stop because he didn’t see the brake lights, because the car in the middle never applied their brakes in time? or probably because he was breaking his neck to see the accident as well? My point is do not rely on the car in front of yours brake lights, watch the vehicle itself. Think about it what if their brake lights do not work. Or in this case they fail to apply the brakes, are you going to drive off the cliff after them? because they didn’t push their brakes :)
blondee says
Rubber neckers! The scourge of the roadways… right after RV’s on the interstate.
Kendall says
I do the same Andy. I want to know what is coming toward me.
Pam Medvid says
SO IGNORANT!!! This was my husband that hit this man and he had only left the house approximately 8 minutes when this happened. HE WAS paying attention and neither reading texting, shaving nor talking on the phone. It was 5:30 in the morning and a dark skinned man wearing dark clothing on a bike with ZERO reflectors was riding IN THE MIDDLE of the right hand lane on Belle Terre. When he saw something it was too late and the man was in the windshield. Luckily the paramedics were returning from a call and were on the opposite side of the street about 45 seconds after this happened. They arrived to help while my husband was on the phone to 911. Afterwards he called me and I arrived and was there within five minutes. I arrived to find the man already in the ambulance and my husband in shock. BOTH the deputies and FHP stated that this was ABSOLUTELY NOT MY HUSBANDS FAULT as his only offense was going to work. You SHOULD NOT add YOUR SPIN on what probably happened, because what happened is that the gentleman that was hit was negligent. I truly hope that he will be ok. OH and the three car crash was from rubber necking and I am glad that they are ok
Seminole Pride says
I have seen this guy on Belle Terra Prkwy on his bicycle in dark clothes and no helmet, or lights or reflectors on his bike early in the morning. I have driven almost right on him before I have seen him. I have thought to myself that this guy his not playing with a full deck.
Anonymous says
That stretch of Belle Terre has sidewalks and also stop signs for those riding on the sidewalk. No excuse for this accident.
Paula says
NEVER ride a bicycle in Palm Coast. Its a Death Wish ! Walk or run but DO NOT ride a bicycle if you value your child’s life or your own life.
Bill says
I hope your husband does NOT feel as if its his fault. I also hope all involed in these incedencts fully recover.
Glad I left Palm Coast says
Because he feels that he does not need to follow the rules.
Anonymous says
my daughter was in one of the 3 cars involed in the 3-car accident. the police stopped the cars. the first and second cars were stopped and 3rd car hit the white car that was then pushed into the first car. first two cars were not rubber necking. I dont know what the 3rd red car was doing when it hit the white car. ????? maybe rubber necking or something else ?????
father of one of the drivers says
my daughter was in one of the 3 cars involed in the 3-car accident. the police stopped the cars. the first and second cars were stopped and 3rd car hit the white car that was then pushed into the first car. first two cars were not rubber necking. I dont know what the 3rd red car was doing when it hit the white car. ????? maybe rubber necking or something else ?????
Tasha Campbell says
After reading all the comments…I have come to the conclusion that I will never understand how people manage to wake up without being angry or realizing everyone has feelings and peoples lives can change forever in an instant…I just pray for my husband…an accident is an accident is an accident with saying who’s at fault lets learn to apologize.. the world and people in it we be better for it…
Tasha Campbell says
I do apologize for everyone who has been affected by all of this and I pray that everyone has a speedy recovery…All positive thoughts are appreciated..prays for everyone invoved…
mag274 says
That stretch of Belle Terre has sidewalks and also stop signs for those riding on the sidewalk, but they are not intended for that purpose as it puts the pedestrians in danger then
Concern resident says
Really how fast was the driver going
His Sister says
Years later my brother is still suffering! For one you people in Palm Coast complain about every fucking got damn thing ! Put up lights it’s that fucking simple ! When driving in the dark you see reflectors but you can’t really make out what it is until your right fucking under the person ! He was also mentally ill & off his meds so of course he wasn’t in his right mind. With that being said he still didn’t deserve to be hit or become a paraplegic ! You people in Palm Coast are too worried about tax dollars that you get paid back anyway ! This guy may not fucking think he’s at fault but reflectors or not on a bike you also have to be accountable for speeding on a dark road ! This has nothing to do with rural areas put up fucking lights people are still dying on bicycles in Palm Coast with or without reflectors on bikes !
Natasha Campbell says
My husband wasnt stupid he suffered from manic depression and bipolar disorder.. Its people like you who make comments like this that bother me.. My children’s father is dead and these are your feelings smh
Natasha Campbell says
Thank you so much and my husband had died..rip Rodney
Natasha Campbell says
Your a horrible person my husband was sick suffering from manic depression and bipolar disorder.. Why are you all so evil