The intersection of State Road 100 and County Road 302 just west of Bunnell is notoriously dangerous, judging from its history of wrecks. At dusk Sunday, it was the site of another.
A Flagler County Humane Society Chevrolet pick-up truck collided there with a Lexus ES 300, sending the Lexus into a ditch on the northeast side of 100, and overturning the truck, which ended up on its crumpled roof near the middle of 100.
The wreck took place at 7:35 p.m., less than half an hour before sunset.
Anthony MacKay, 32, of Bunnell, was at the wheel of the Humane Society truck. Allyson Bennett, 32, was at the wheel of the 1996 Lexus, with Aayden Samples, 4, as a passenger. Bennett and McKay were both evacuated by ground as trauma alerts to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach. Asked at 8:15 p.m. if injuries to either were life-threatening, Derek Fraser, Bunnell’s fire chief, who was in command at the scene, said it was “too early to determine that.”
By the time the Florida Highway Patrol issued a press release with the victims’ identities, Mckay’s injuries were listed as serious, Bennett’s and Aayden’s as minor. She and Ayden were wearing seat belts.
McKay truck had been partially ejected from the Humane Society truck, and suffered a possible femur fracture. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Florida Highway Patrol investigation.
Aayden appeared not to have been injured. A family member arrived at the scene and carried the boy from the scene of the crash. Paramedics were hoping to have Aayden checked out at Florida Hospital Flagler for precautionary measures. At one point the family member carrying Aayden took him to the ambulance where Bennett had been transported, strapped on a gurney. Aayden was able to peek in through the side window briefly. He then wrapped his arms around the man’s neck and buried his face in the crook of his neck as the ambulance turned around and, at 8:08 p.m., headed east on 100.
There were no animals on board the Humane Society truck, which leaked fuel across 100. The fuel was sopped up with sand.
According to the highway patrol investigation, Bennett was traveling west on 100, McKay was traveling east, when Bennett attempted to make a left onto 302, violating McKay’s right-of-way. Alcohol is not a factor in the crash. Charges are pending against Bennett, who likely will face a careless charging charge.
A deep gash a few yards east of the intersection, on the Bunnell-bound side of the road, indicates where the collision took place. The Lexus was struck violently on the passenger side. The truck appeared to have had a frontal collision. Initially, responders were told that one of the vehicle may have been on fire. That turned out not to be the case.
Flagler County Fire Rescue dispatched three ambulances to the scene, along with an engine and Battalion Chief Jamie Burnsed. Bunnell had its chief and a fire engine there. The Palm Coast Fire Police regulated traffic. Traffic on both CR302 and SR100 was shut down or diverted until, at 8:15 p.m., one lane reopened on 100.
The Florida Highway Patrol was to investigate the crash, but had not yet arrived at the scene at 8:30 p.m. Vehicles could not be removed from the scene until the investigation was completed.
It was the second trauma emergency of the day on Flagler roads. Earlier this morning, Air One, the Volusia County emergency helicopter, airlifted a teenager to Halifax after he was struck by a car on State Road 100 near Seminole Woods Boulevard.
Shocked, I tell you... says
Amazing they weren’t all killed. This place has the most deadly and horrendous accidents I have every seen.
Anonymous says
Why was animal control out in that area at that hour?
I wish all involved a speedy recovery.
Enough Said... says
I’ve had a LOT of vehicles hurry to make the turn onto CR 302 from W SR-100.. People are too much in a hurry. I’ve had them cut in front of me. I’m at the stop sign to turn right onto East 100 and have had cars turn right infront of me on MY side of the lane only to miss an oncoming vehicle going the same direction I’ll be going E-SR100.
They are TOO lazy to just wait a second or two to safely make the turn onto CR 302. They cut you off and you have traffice coming down SR-100E going 60 plus MPH… The speed limit needs to be cut down to 45 approaching CR 302 AND a flashing light to say the least..
I’ve also has cars behind me in the turn lane honk their horns because I stopped because of oncoming traffic, I knew were coming wayyy too fast to make the turn safely.. People behind me can just wait or kiss my butt..They make me so sick their all in a hurry to go no where…
If I’m ever in an accident at that intersection, I guarantee it won’t be my fault but one of an anxious dirver….
Ron says
Put up a large billboard picture of Obama and Hillary at that intersection. People will slow down to hiss and curse at the pictures thereby providing safe passage.
Ken Dodge says
“McKay [truck] had been partially ejected from the Humane Society truck, and suffered a possible femur fracture. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Florida Highway Patrol investigation.”
While not responsible for causing the crash, should he be held partly responsible for contributing to his own injury as a possible result of his own negligence?
S. Neal says
Flagler County needs to add multiple red lights along this road due to the significant number of accidents that have happened. Numerous people have been seriously injured and unfortunately many have lost their lives on this road. When will someone realize this is an important issue which needs the immediate attention of the City Commissioners. I hope the County looks into this issue and makes the neccassary improvements before another person becomes a victim to the dangers of this road due to Flagler County’s negligence. Thank god my brother and the driver of the other vehicle involved survived the accident. I would like to thank everyone who played a role in making this rescue a success… thank you, thank you, thank you!
Keeping It REAL says
He is on call! But was actually headed to park the truck and get his vehicles from the job. People call about animals 24/7.
Justin says
We don’t need anymore red lights! We need people to learn how to drive! The speed limit is 60 mph on 100! I find people going 45 mph and people going over 60 mph. Did you know you can get a ticket for going under the speed limit too! With school stating next week, I expect to see the FCSO doing radar on that road!
Anonymous says
Just saying if he did wear his seat belt he would be dead, the drivers side was completely smashed in, it was one of those rare cases that not wearing the seat belt saved his life
notherorphan says
Thanks, Justin.
I’m so tired of people whose immediate response to situations such as this is to demand MORE traffic lights. We don’t need MORE traffic lights around this county!!!!! We need MORE DRIVERS TO PAY ATTENTION TO DRIVING!!! Get it???? DRIVING!!!!
Without even knowing who/what was responsible for this particular incident, I’m betting my money on the fact that a traffic light wouldn’t have made a damn bit of difference in the outcome. SOMEONE WASN’T PAYING ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!
And I am SO happy that the little guy :( wasn’t hurt. :) We know that at least one of the victims was not at fault.
katie says
Just to clarify. Anthony was wearing a seatbelt. He took it off to try to pull himself out of the truck. Once he realized his leg was broken, he stopped. I just thank god that he wasnt hurt worse.
Anonymous says
Actually it looks like the driver’s side is less crushed than the passenger side. It’s the driver’s side that the close up is of showing the steering wheel & airbag. The passenger side appears more crushed to me.
anonymous says
Actually it appears the driver’s side is less crushed than the passenger side. It’s the driver’s side that is shown in the close up showing the steering wheel & airbag. At least to me it looks like the passenger side had been more crushed in.
Citizen says
He was wearing a seatbelt but charging him for contributing to his own injury?! Seriously?! Some one pulled out right in front of him while he was returning the truck how could any one think he should be charged? She was driving carelessly with a child in the car!!
em says
He lives out in the mondex
what the heck?! says
First of all, just want to say I hope Anthony is alright and pray for a speedy recovery. Glad there were no animals inside the cage. anyone who turn Ln 302, people will hurry to turn there right in front of you and that’s pretty dangerous! I’m glad everyone is alive and pray for speedy recovery. Stay strong Anthony!
devrie says
There really aren’t a lot of main entryways into the Daytona North area, and while the area isn’t busy enough for a red light, that intersection has been improved. Years ago, the blinking light was added, and in the past few years, a turn lane was added on 305 turning onto 302. So I think the improvements are keeping pace with the need. It’s not an abandoned area in need of major improvement.
It may seem like a notoriously dangerous intersection, but I believe that statistically, there will be more accidents there because it is the only main way into the area and going past the area. There are other entrances, of course, but that’s the main way.
An area I find a little more scary is Water Oak Road going onto S.R. 100. That road isn’t busy enough for a light or anything, but Water Oak road is now paved for a section, and leaving it can be dangerous as cars tend to pass others just as one is turning onto S.R. 100 from Water Oak. It can also be an awkward place to turn onto Water Oak from 100, as cars and semi trucks seem to be barreling down on you as you begin to slow down to turn.
It’s more important for people to just be aware of being very observant, as neither of those intersections are really busy enough to demand major improvements such as traffic lights or anything like that. One poster commented that people just need to learn how to drive, and I agree.