Last Updated: Monday, 2:36 p.m.
Jan. 27 Update: The Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver wanted in the hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of Carl Gandy on Saturday as Lester Rowshawn Jackson, a 30-year-old resident of 7th Place in Trenton, in Gilchrist County with a history of arrests there.
FHP Monday morning said Jackson went to AdventHealth Daytona Beach hospital at 3 this morning seeking medical attention. He “told troopers that after the crash, he became disoriented and traveled into the woods,” according to FHP.
It is first degree felony to leave the scene of a crash where a person has died, punishable by a maximum of 30 years in prison, and minimum of four years.
Jackson’s record includes arrests for child abuse, domestic violence, criminal mischief, aggravated battery, various traffic infractions, and in 2006, a charge of violating restrictions on his driver’s license. Charges are pending against him in Saturday’s crash, which remains under investigation.
Carl Gandy, 56, was at the wheel of his 2018 Ford pick-up, driving east on 40. A semi-truck was driving west. For unknown reasons, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report, the driver of the semi traveled into the eastbound lane, striking Gandy’s Ford. The semi then swerved off the road and struck a tree. Its occupant, still unknown, fled on foot. FHP has not provided further details about the semi truck’s make, look or registration information, other than that it was a 2009 model.
Gandy’s pick-up caught fire after the impact, which took place on 40 near Warrensford Road, just west of Barberville, at 10:15 a.m. FHP listed Rena Gandy’s injuries as “minor,” and that she was able to exit the pick-up truck after impact.
Charges are pending against the driver of the semi as the investigation into his identity continues.
Gandy had been an SMA Employee of the Year award winner in 2014. Both Carl and Rena Gandy had graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School, Carl graduating in 1985. Barely 24 hours before the crash, Rena Gandy had sent a meme to her daughter through Facebook: “I hope you know that every time I tell you to get home safe, take care, have fun, have a good day or sleep well, what I’m really saying is I love you.”
CB from PC says
Semi trucks are being driven by people who either do not have the CDL, or have not had it revoked due to violations. Like the idiot who took out the Marine Veterans Motorcycle group last year in New Hampshire who should have had his CDL revoked in MA.
Given this person fled, they likely did not have a valid CDL, and who knows what else?
The police will have no problem finding out who owns the truck, and take it from there.
There also is a real problem with illegals driving semi trucks in States such as CA and TX.
Sad and pathetic that there is not better enforcement of the laws to prevent a horrible event like this.
Duane Russell says
RIP Sir. Praying for this family.
Linda says
Running is a sign of the times and the ultimate act of cowardice. My heart and my prayers go out to this family.
Nancy Russo says
Carl was such a big part of our SMA Family. Such a strong leader with a big heart. He will truly be missed. I pray for comfort and peace for his family and friends during this time. I also pray for his staff and the many clients who will be affected by the loss of such a great man. Rest in peace my friend.
Nancy
Dede Avery says
Thank you to all for the love and support you have shared with Rena and family. I also thank the folks who were at the accident and unselfishly provided support and care. Carl is not only my brother but my friend, hero, and confidant. He’s the best man I’ve ever known. Peace and love always.
Marcos Figueroa says
I feel so sorry for Carl and his family he will be missed may he rest in peace he was such a good man you can four years at church I’d have to say he was the ultimate in family man he will be truly missed by me
Debbie Flaherty says
Carl, as many know, was an amazing human being who helped many find their way out of addiction and back into the Sunlight of the Spirit. I had the honor of working side by side with Carl on the Drug Court Team and get was a personal friend. My heart and prayers go out to his wife and daughter. Debbie Flaherty
Jennifer Sexton says
Such a great guy. You will truly be missed, Carl. Prayers for the family.
Joshua Davis says
Carl was more than an sma employee he was a friend of mine. This is a tragedy to me and many others!
RM says
Carl, is one person I can say truly has been a part of saving my life.
Because of him, instead of leaving rehab, I decided to stay multiple times, he always had a way of calming you down, and genuinely listen to you.
R.I.P.
– Ricky
Bryan says
My condolences go out to their family, I drove truck for 38 years in some of the worst city’s in the country,but my carrier ended on a back road in New Hampshire when a woman driving a soccer mom van crossed over into my lane and I had to make a quick decision to dump the truck or hit her head on and kill everyone involved not knowing if kids were in the van I dumped the truck, thank god there was a off duty state trooper behind me , come to find out she was texting but no kids in the van,after that it just wasn’t worth it anymore, so I retired became a full time man of leisure.. they don’t have tractor Trailer driver’s anymore their a steering wheel holder
Neil Austin says
I credit your brother for me being alive today. He is the best man I’ve known as well.
Jonathan Nelson says
It was such an honor and a privilege to serve beside Carl Gandy with SMA Healthcare. His heart for those he served and the compassion he had for those in recovery was unrelenting and will always remain unparalleled. I will miss his hearty laugh and his Alabama “Roll Tide” which was said with such awesome pride. The lives that he touched and the influence that he had on those around him will forever be his legacy. I am so grateful to have known this man. You will be missed my friend.
Frank romano says
Carl youra big part of the reason I’m 18 months clean and sober. You inspired me so much I pray for your family and staff at DMRT
Lisa Farmer says
Prayers to this precious familt🙏🙏
Judy says
My husband and I are deeply saddened. I just spoke with Carl last week. He helped this family over the past 4 years with our addicted son. His door was always open. One thing that touched me was the number of funerals he attended each year for SMA clients that relapsed. It takes a special person to do what he did at SMA.
Our prayers for his family and SMA family.
Judy and Mike
Denette Clara says
This beautiful couple caught my attention whenever I saw them out and about in Palm Coast. Saddened buy this loss, my goes out to Rena, family and friends.
Jennifer DiGeronimo says
I am so sorry for your loss. We are friends with your niece and her boyfriend and Rena. We are here for all of you.
CB from PC says
To the “update”, “driver identified”.
But he was not so “disoriented”, that he made it to a hospital in Daytona. What a bunch of BS. The rest of his RAP sheet speaks for itself…especially the 2006 part of “violating restrictions” on his drivers license. If there ever was a case for long prison time due to motor vehicle accident, he is it.
David Hammock says
Carl was one of the first Brothers in the Bunnell Ward that showed heart felt love to me and my family. He even gave me and my wife so marriage counseling for a short while. We love Carl and Christina very much. We saw Rena a few times in Church.
Faron Sanders told me when bumped into him this morning at the Racetrack about the tragedy. I’m so glad Rena is going to be ok once her minor injuries are healed. Our prayers are with Rena and Christina and the rest of the family.
We are so sorry for you guys loss.
Lynda says
Carl was truly a gentleman and a man of honor; he touched countless lives throughout his career at SMA; I have had the privilege of working with Carl 20 plus years; he truly loved his SMA family and the clients that we serve. He deeply loved his wife and daughter and was SO very proud of them. There is no doubt in my mind that Carl did everything in his power to save his precious wife Rena. Countless hearts are broken over this senseless tragedy. Heaven had gained a precious Angel; the world has lost a truly great man. Rest In Peace Carl; praying boldly for Rena, Christine and all of Carl’s loved ones. 🙏
Born and Raised Here says
Carl and I go way back, we grew up in Flagler. We always joked that I was a Beach Boy from Flagler Beach, and he was a Country Boy from Bunnell.
Going to miss you Good Buddy.
R.I.P.
John M says
Jonathan, I could not have said it any better. There’s no doubt he saved my life… Roll Tide…
Bunnell boys says
It truly broke my heart when i heard carl gandy has passed away.. carl was a awesome person and one of the nices guys i ever met.. im also one of many that carl helped with my addiction and he truly cared about all of us and he put everything he had into helping us that struggled with addiction. Its gonna be a huge lost to sma bc we not only lost our leader but we lost someone that truly cared and put everything he had into making a diffrents and helping those who struggled with addiction.. my prays go out to the family bc i know this is gonna be one of the hardest things they ever had to go threw and i hope theyre able to stay strong and remember all the good times they shared with him and know carl was a hero that helped so many people and saved so many lives.. the only thing he cared more about then the people he helped and people he worked with was his family. I can always remember carl talking about his family and how much he loved them and how much they meant to him.. such a great man and hes truly gonna be missed.. once again my prayers go out to the family.. R.I.P CARL.. thank u for everything u have done for me and thank u for saving my life..
Doug Lashbrook says
I went to High School with Carl. Very sad loss to the community. RIP buddy.
Christie Maphis says
Prayers for you, Dede and all of his family. There are no words to ease the pain. Just know you all are being lifted up daily. ❤️
Mitchell Leonard says
And you know the thing about this is Mr Carl would try to help the dude if he hadn’t of killed him and would say something like “Well guys let me ask you something. How many of you have needed and been given a second,third or fourth chance. Ok well why is this any different. If he’s truly trying to turn his life around and go down a new path shouldn’t we try to help.
That being said Mr Carl was a intraqit part of saving this lost soul. So look for glass before throwing stones. Because there but for the grace of God go i
Kim says
Thank you for the kind words. We think of him and his family often.