Last Updated: 12:33 p.m.
Nehemiah Gilyard, an 18-year-old Bunnell resident and student-athlete at Flagler Palm Coast High School, was killed Sunday night (Feb. 14) in a single-vehicle crash on County Road 302, the narrow, unlit spur that branches off State Road 100 and ends at County Road 305 by Daytona North, or the Mondex.
The cause of the crash is unknown, the Florida Highway Patrol says. Gilyard was working–delivering pizzas for Hungry Howie–and heading east when, for unknown reasons, he veered across the opposite lane of traffic, went into a ditch and struck several trees. The site of the crash is about half a mile west of State Road 100.
The crash was first reported to Flagler County’s 911 dispatch center at 9:19 p.m. Callers reported that the vehicle, a gray SUV, was “crushed” on both sides, that it “may have been on fire at one time” and had rolled over several times. Flagler County Fire Rescue firefighter-paramedics were at the scene within six minutes. They reported that Gilyard was unconscious and entrapped, but moments later, they pronounced Gilyard deceased.
County Road 302 was shut down in both directions. Authorities requested that Volusia County’s Air One emergency helicopter, which is equipped with infrared night vision equipment, scan the area of the crash to ensure that there wasn’t another person aboard. The helicopter launched at 9:48 p.m. (Nothing was reported found.) The sheriff’s chaplain services were also requested.
Gilyard was a junior at FPC who was on the football and track teams for the past three years, and was on course to notch scholarships in either sport. School is off today in observance of Presidents’ Day, but the track team was scheduled for a morning practice. The district had sent grief counselors to the assist the team.
“We are shocked and saddened. Nehemiah was a great kid on the track team, the football team,” his track coach, Dave Halliday, said this morning before practice. “He just ran the 100 and the two relays on Friday night, and he led both relays to a win. Sometimes you just never know. Every moment is precious and you just can’t take anything for granted, kind of like Curtis two years ago.”
Curtis Gray, an 18-year-old track athlete on Halliday’s team at FPC, was shot and killed in April 2019 outside a Palm Coast business.
“We’re having practice,” Halliday said, “We may practice, we may not, we may just talk, we may just hug, whatever we need to do. We’ll have counselors there. Obviously it’s terrible and shocking news.” He said the team will “grieve together and stay together as a team and we’ll take care of one another.”
Around midday Bobby Bossardet, the acting principal at FPC, issued a robocall message to students and families. “This is a very sad day for the students, the faculty and colleagues of the Bulldog family,” he said. “Our staff and students are saddened by the news of the death of one of our students last night following a tragic accident. To provide support for our students and staff, we will have the district’s crisis-response team assisting our counselors and helping the students cope with this tragedy. They’ll be on our campus tomorrow morning, and the extra staff will remain on our campus as long as needed. I ask the parents to take time to talk with their children, understand the grieving process. It’s different for different people.”
It is the second such shock to FPC’s community in two months. In Early December, the school lost Tom Russell, its popular and charismatic principal since 2019, to covid-19.
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Jimbo99 says
Several possibilities ? I mean, it’s been foggy and he may have hit a dense patch of fog and crashed with limited & no visibility. Then there’s the deer that cross the road in the rural areas that he may have swerved to avoid at sufficient speed ? He may have even had a hidden & unknown health issue, the freak heart attack or stroke that nobody ever saw coming from a healthier and younger victim. Whatever the cause, condolences.
Trena Harvey says
Auntie love you!
joey says
damn thats crazy, he just wanted to grind and be great.
Jan Cullinane Culllinane says
So tragic. Our thoughts are with the family.
Mythoughts says
Very sad and gone way too soon. RIP and my thoughts to his family and friends, as well as his coaches and teachers.
Sharlene Jackson-Smith says
Prayers, thoughts and condolences to the family. Espanola has suffered a great loss in a respectable man and athlete!
Carolyn says
My deepest sympathy to the Gilyard Family.You are all in my thoughts and prayers.Carolyn Carnelli
Denise Calderwood says
Nehemiah was an outstanding young man with a bright future who willingly helped when ever asked. He will.be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Concerned Citizen says
I would like to send my Condolences to the Parents and Siblings of this young man who lost his life so young. A very good Athlete as well. I know how painful this is. This is a pain that will never go away. But with God, He can give this family the strength they need to make it thru. So my Prayer is for God to be there for them. Strengthen them, give them comfort and answer their prayers when they call upon God for help. I am so sorry this has happened to this family. My Condolences and Prayers to you All again.
Trailer Bob says
Rest in Peace son. Condolences and thoughts to and for the family.
Such a beautiful child…so sad…
Skibum says
It is sad to hear that such a gifted athlete and hard worker has died in a traffic accident at the young age of 18. While it is heartbreaking news to his family and friends who knew him, one important consideration to remember that could help save countless lives is a reminder that ALL drivers and other vehicle occupants need to wear their seatbelt, as seatbelts DO save lives and lessen the severity of injuries in automobile collisions. Too many people, especially young people, think they are invincible and that nothing will happen to them. You never know when tragedy may strike, and leave your loved ones mourning the loss of your life. I appreciate that the FHP investigation reported this young man was not wearing his seatbelt. I believe that every vehicle related collision that makes the news should indicate whether or not the vehicle occupants were wearing their seatbelts so that the public is able to see for themselves what law enforcement already knows as fact, and that fact is that way too many people who are injured or killed were not wearing a seatbelt. This simple but effective safety device saves lives and reduces the severity of injuries on our roads every day! Please drive safely.
Bill says
My heart breaks for his family.
Steve says
Too Young. Life is fragile and sometimes cut short. RIP
Lizette Harvey says
This young humble and respectful young man you’re talking is my SON. With that being said my son didn’t have any hidden health issues.
Raymond Gilyard Jr says
S.I.P. fam
Raymond Gilyard Jr says
I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you
Outsider says
This is such a tragedy for the family and a loss for the community. Prayers to the family.
MM says
Thoughts and Prayers to all 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Be. says
RIP YOUNG MAN🙏
Daniel Deleon says
Sorry I just moved here from Chicago and heard of this sad my condolenses