(© FlaglerLive)
Allen David Adams and his girlfriend of two years, Brittany Lee Pitt, 26, were celebrating Adams’s 28th birthday Friday (May 13). They were staying at a campground in Tomoka State Park. Friday night they went to a Devil Makes Three concert in Jacksonville, both riding on Adams’s Harley Davidson motorcycle. Pitt had bought him new handlebars for the bike for his birthday.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol investigator, they had a few drinks in Jacksonville–Adams mentioned three mixed drinks to the investigator–then rode back. They arrived at the Old Dixie Highway exit off of I-95, going southbound, just after half past midnight.
Adams was not too familiar with the area: he was supposed to make a stop at the exit and make a left to go to the campground. Instead, he curved right, going westbound, and merged into the westbound lane of the two-lane highway–not realizing that he had merged too soon: he had violated the right of way of oncoming traffic, the FHP investigator said: Kenneth W. Tonak III, 31, of Hastings, was driving a 2012 Dodge with four passengers (his wife and in-laws, who had all just gotten some pizza and were driving a friend home).
Adams, the investigator said, “panicked.”
“He got scared, because he didn’t know how close that other car was, and went straight across, figuring he wouldn’t get hit,” the investigator said, describing how Adams opted to veer sharply left to get into the grass shoulder rather than keep going west. “He didn’t want to lay his bike down in the middle of the road, so he went into the grass.”
“Somehow she didn’t hang on,” the investigator said of Pitt, as Adams had veered sharply. “Somehow she fell off when he jerked his wheel or jerked his motorcycle.”
Adams was able to steer the motorcycle several yards into the grass. The motorcycle was not damaged, neither was the Dodge, aside from some tear in the undercarriage: the Dodge never hit the motorcycle.
Adams and Tonak both volunteered blood samples. Charges are pending–but likely not against Tonak, the investigator said. Old Dixie Highway was closed in both directions for almost three hours. The Palm Coast Fire Department, Flagler County Fire Rescue, the Palm Coast Fire Police and the sheriff’s office all responded, in addition to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Adams and Pitt are from Spring Hill, Fla. Saturday morning’s incident represents the 10th fatality on Flagler roads this year, and the fifth in a week. On May 10, motorcyclist Thomas Dolan, 59, was struck and killed by a car at the intersection of another portion of Old Dixie Highway with U.S. 1. On May 7, four people, including a 4-year-old child, were killed in a wreck on I-95.
On his Facebook page earlier that evening, Adams had written: “Thank you for all well wishes for my birthday. I’m currently baking alive on the way to Jacksonville with Brittany to see my favorite band ever. So today has been good. I don’t have many pearls of wisdom as I’ve passed yet another year. Only that they should really make better toilet bowls for dudes to pee in. That should be a thing. Cause sometimes you can’t control anything. You can’t. That’s all I have to say about that.”
Layla says
Sometimes life delivers incredibly hard and devastating lessons. It just happens from out of nowhere. This one hit me like a ton of bricks and I didn’t even know these people. I will spend much of today thinking about this and praying for these families. And I will slow down on our roadways.
I am so sorry for your pain and for your loss. And in this case, I know that can never be enough.
HonkeyDude says
That off ramp is the worst, more so at night/late night. ESP with that blind left that comes out no where at the end. Totally the worst at night. It’s like driving 55mph thru a dark tunnel and wham outa no where u have to make a split second decision. People do what he did all the time, mostly in cars and trucks. It needs changed! And it needs lights!!!!
Lisa Marcatos says
Please make our roads safer no matter what it takes, or cost. Lives matter and we have already lost enough lives on these roads. I pray that you will fix this problem as fast as you can so we do not lose anymore people on our roads. Prayers for all the families of the lost victims.
Maryjayne & Enrique Rosito says
So very sorry for the loss of the family prayers and strength to all involved
Bc. says
Rest in peace sorry to her family
Kacy says
Thank you we do greatly appreciate it. She was my cousin! It is definitely a big loss she was such an amazing person!
Retired law enforcement says
Don’t blame the road, blame the admitted 3 mixed drinks.
DUI Victim says
Correct. Another precious life taken by DUI. When will we ever learn?
The Truth says
Life is precious, cherish each moment with loved ones.
Unfortunately, Mr. Adams made a terribly bad mistake that cost this young girl her life. I feel very sorry for all families involved.
Stopdrinkinganddriving says
Drinking and driving a motorcycle with no helmets on in an unfamiliar area. So many avoidable mistakes made. I’m sure this will haunt him the rest of his life.
sharon says
condolences to all involved…..I am sure the last thing anyone needs right now is do gooders pointing out could be,would be,should have…
to the families take care…..ignore all the ignorance and opinions,they are always plentiful..
Joanie Glover says
So sorry for your loss Sherry and Joe. Britt was a sweet girl.
Friend says
Rip Britt she was a real nice girl her son loves her endlessly andbmy prayers to him and her family. I’m sure they know the what ifs they have played over and over send your blessings and move on please.
jerry knox says
The Bible teaches us that we shall all meet together in heaven. Please pray for us and her little boy Gage. He loved his mom so much thank you. The grandfather.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
14 years of e-mails and phone calls bitching to the powers at FDOT to add lighting and at least a bright yellow ( flashing at night -solar powered) WARNING – ” dangerous intersection – use extreme caution” at this poorly designed antiquated intersection. Efforts to beautify this area, including the Flagler side of the bridge worked -my husband and I adopted this stretch of road – so did efforts to install guard rails and reflectors on the 18th century bridge work but I have failed miserably at making FDOT realize that this accident was only a matter of time. My heart goes out to this poor young mother and her family… and her boyfriend who will carry the guilt of this tragedy to his grave. If he were drunk I am sure he would have been in a wreck or stopped along the 80 mile or so stretch on I-95 from Jacksonville to our exit 278. Thank you Pierre for the photos which I have sent to FDOT together with previous e-mails , unfortunately deja vue… My prayers are with the survivors.
April says
I do not live in Florida but am very close to this tragic loss. What can the community do to make this area safer? Way too many accidents and deaths for it to be ignored. I do not want another accident, another death to take place because of the way the merge is. I understand that the death of Brittany contained many factors. However it still remains a terrible and dangerous road. My research has shown many people have tried to get this merge to be safer, yet all have been ignored. Please tell me what it will take to get someone to listen and make some adjustments to make this road a safer road to travel for all.