A man believed to be older than 55 was struck by a passing car on State Road A1A as he was crossing the street this evening around 7:15 p.m. The man was being air-lifted to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach by Flagler County Fire Flight, the emergency helicopter, which landed on A1A at 7:30 p.m.
The collision took place in front of 608 South Ocean Shore Boulevard, around South 7th Street. Traffic on A1A was halted in both directions around that block. The driver who collided with the pedestrian remained at the scene. The driver was heading south in a sedan.
The victim was being treated at the scene for 15 minutes or more before the helicopter landed. He was reportedly severely injured around the head and was having difficulties breathing, but was conscious and aware. By 7:40 p.m. his breathing was restored and he was transferred from a rescue to Fire Flight.
Witnesses were reporting that the victim was looking at his phone as he crossed A1A, which is not brightly lit and has been the scene of serious and fatal collisions with pedestrians in that area: two years ago, a 56-year-old woman who’d recently moved to Daytona Beach was killed as she crossed the street at night on A1A at South 26th Street. Two years before that, on A1A at South 16th Street, Shane Kitchens, a resident of Flagler Beach, was struck by a motorcyclist as Kitchens crossed A1A around midnight. He was walking home, nearby. He survived but was in a coma for 30 days and had a difficult recovery.
The Flagler Beach Fire Department, Flagler County Fire Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office and the Flagler Beach Police are at the scene of this evening’s wreck, with traffic being regulated by the Flagler Beach Fire Police.
The driver of the car involved in the collision was released from the scene at 7:50 p.m., and drove away. His car was not severely damaged. A1A was reopened at 7:55 p.m.
Chris Willis says
The street nights all down A1A need to be turned up some! Sorry about the turtles, but I think human lives are far more important.
Ashley says
It’s awful that the victim was hurt, but this journalism is AWFUL. Who ever wrote this clearly has never read the AP style book that journalists are supposed to follow. Writing at a 5 grade level means word choice, not LITERAL 5th grade grammar.
Jenn says
Prayers for a speedy recovery
gmath55 says
Texting/Talking while walking. Mmm. Should be a law against this just like it is for driving. Some people can’t live without being on their phones 24/7. He failed to yield to the sedan. Feel sorry for the walker (victim). He has to recover from his damages and pay for damages to the vehicle (sedan) for whatever insurance doesn’t cover. Put the phones down and pay attention!
Is jaywalking allowed in Florida?
However, “jaywalking” is not a legal term and does not appear in any Florida laws. Florida Statutes 3.16.130(10) provide that pedestrians can cross the street at a non crosswalk, so long as they yield to vehicles on the road.
richard says
We need to figure out that lights are needed in the core district of Flagler Beach. Its busy in town and going into the season more people are gonna come here.
mark101 says
Witnesses were reporting that the victim was looking at his phone as he crossed A1A, come on people pay attention as it could cost you you’re life or the life of someone else. Sure hope this guy makes it.
TheBoldTruth says
What good are the lights if pedestrians are crossing the street while looking at their cell phones. Save the turtles. People are idiots.
Rick Kang says
A1A can be dangerous to cross, even at SR100&A1A traffic light. A few more cross walks would help but everyone has to VERY careful when crossing! Look both ways and KEEP your cellphone in your pocket!
This may sound stupid at first.... says
We need a ban on cars! This is outrageous! Cars are killing innocent people everyday and the poor people that survive have to live with the consequences of what these cars are doing.
Anonymous says
another reason to move A1A away from the Beach. Turn it into a walking and bicycle promenade. It can be done.
Joe says
Maybe if people looked both ways before crossing the street, people wouldn’t be getting hit
fredrick says
Smartphones should be banned. They are killing people!! Where is the Media and liberals on this issue? Why is no one marching over the bridge demanding a change? Go back to flip phones and texting while driving deaths would go down.
FlaglerBear says
Who says people are more important than turtles? If I were a turtle, I would argue that point. And..people should pay attention when they’re crossing the street, not look at their phones. Regardless, I hope the patient fully recovers. Everyone is entitled to make at least one mistake in life. Perhaps two.
Brian Smith says
City refuses to put crosswalks in that area… the main parking lot is right there… Flagler City has blood on their hands…
Brian says
Everybody’s an expert.
WastingawayinFB says
Someone was critically injured yet the majority of responses are twisted talking points about banning phones or cars or turtles. When did concern for fellow citizens become a political choice in Flagler Beach?
Carlos says
Moral of story is even iPhones kill more people then marijuana
woodchuck says
Really more lights?How about looking while you walk or drive for that matter.
Just me says
Street lights are NOT the answer. Just think it was NIGHT so it was DARK and ill bet the driver of the car had its lights ON. if you cant see headlights coming at you at night maybe you shouldn’t be walking on the street at night
palmcoaster says
Leave your phone in your pocket while crossing any street or walking on the streets that lack sidewalks.
A1A is a very busy fast traffic street and caution should be number one. I hope for a speedy recovery of the gentleman.
capt says
I hate to see anyone get hit by a car. But people need to take some responsibility and get their head out of that cell phone and watch where they are going, and that includes, walking, driving a car. IS your life that unimportant that you can’t take a few seconds and look where you are going. Just think that person in front of your car or on the street could be your friend or family member. Wake up people. You are smarter than that.
HonkeyDude says
We need a round about here with the median they are installing!
jmb says
put the phone down open ur eyes be alert
FlaglerLive says
Ashley, the AP Style book–like AP style–is the second-worst thing to happen to journalism (the first being journalism schools). Fortunately for our readers, we follow neither’s precepts.
Concerned Citizen says
Speedy Recovery to the individual who was hit.
Now let me point out a few things I see driving down A1A several times a day for work.
I understand by Florida law pedestrians have the right away and vehicles have to yield. However I can count on both hands or more the times I have seen pedestrians violate right of way or illegally cross the road causing vehicles to slam on breaks. Often times giving the driver rude gestures for their effort. People pay no attention when crossing from the beach and clearly enter a cross walk with a yellow no cross light.
Pedestrians you are required to follow the rules of the road just as drivers are. Just because you have the right of way doesn’t mean you always have to exercise it. Common sense and alertness are your friends.
Flagler Beach PD and FCSO needs to fairly enforce the laws. If a pedestrian runs across the road and nearly causes an accident they need to be cited and fined for it.
PcFC says
Why not jump to conclusion blame the victim maybe his phone was in his hand because cell phones have a flashlight.
Pedestrian have always had the right of way in Fl, drivers know that is a busy area they need to drive slow with great caution.
Whatever happened to the friendly South. So much hatred and lets place responsibility on the other person out there today. What a different society than baby boomers grew up in , in the south. If you can’t be of southern charm and manners, polite , and courteous, want to be cold , go back to the cold.