Last Updated: 5 p.m.
The body of Lamar M. Johnson, 40, was recovered from the canal between Carol and Cardwell Court, near Club House Drive, late Thursday night after Johnson had driven his car into the water. The cause of the crash is not known.
Adrien Robidoux, a 59-year-old resident at 1 Carol Court, had gone to the backyard to smoke a cigar at about 11:20 p.m., only to notice a vehicle upside down in the canal, a few feet beyond his boat dock.
His son-in-law, 32-year-old Benjamin Roussel, the homeowner, jumped in, seeking to rescue the occupants in pitch darkness. He managed to get Johnson out and onto the deck at the Carol Court property, and performed CPR. Initially, the caller to 911 reported that there may have been more than one occupant in the vehicle, and that the men were looking still. The dispatch center placed an emergency helicopter on standby–it did not launch–and dispatched a dive team at the request of the fire department.
Lamar Montel Johnson, however, was pronounced deceased by a paramedic at 11:27 p.m., soon after Flagler County Fire Rescue 22 arrived at the scene. Johnson was a resident of Palm Coast’s B-Section.
According to a preliminary investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, Johnson was traveling west on Casper Drive, approaching Club House. He traveled through the stop sign and the intersection onto the wide grassy shoulder on the west side of Club House Drive, which slopes gradually down to the canal. It isn’t clear if Johnson had a medical episode or somehow missed Casper Drive ending at Club House, but tire marks indicate that his vehicle began turning left as it crossed Club House Drive, the turn becoming sharper once the vehicle drove onto the grass.
There are deep ruts in the grass as the path of the vehicle is traced, though that may also have been due to sogginess. (The homeowner reported no rain in the neighborhood that night.) The vehicle’s path from the intersection draws a diagonal curve once past the intersection, avoiding the property fence of the canal-side house at Cardwell Court and Club House, which suggests that Johnson may have perhaps been trying to correct his course. But the slope is quite pronounced and a vehicle would have difficulty navigating it.
The dive team eventually confirmed that there had been just one occupant in the vehicle.
It isn’t clear when the crash took place, FHP notes. Even after next-of-kin notification was made, the agency did not identify the driver nor his vehicle, though it appears to be a 2016 four-door Chrysler.
The vehicle was removed from the water at around 3 a.m., with the dive team’s help. The Sheriff’s Office’s chaplain reported to the home of the victim early this morning. The southbound lane of Club House Drive had been shut down starting before midnight. It reopened shortly before 4 a.m. The crash resulted in the second road fatality of the year in Flagler County.
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DjAsur newwavebeatz says
That was my brother we from Illinois, this is all shocking to us back home in 217 home of the fighting illini, this lost hurts deep just stuck… r.i.h Mook I’m going to miss tha hek out of you.. bro.. why him God damn it.
Brie says
Man that was my brother and I just got the news. Another sad loss for Champaign
Neighbor says
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family and friends.
Ben Mann says
Lamar Johnson. We used to be called the bonk twins because we would head butt poles and each other as kids to see who had the hardest head That was my brother. It wasnt his time. He will forever be missed. I love you bro. Rest in peace…He was loved by everyone he came in contact with. He brightened the lives of everyone that knew him. He was a protector and a friend. He will make a mighty angel. Ben Mann
Ben Mann says
Lamar Johnson was one of the most humble sincere and trustworthy men did most of the world will never get to know. He was my brother and my friend. He will always be remembered and the love that the people that know him had for him will live on always and forever. Rest in peace your memory will always live on.
Carol L Pagliuca says
My prayers go out to his family, may he rest in peace. 💔
Detrick Anderson says
He was a man loved by an entire community of people in central Illinois from a beautiful family and he had a great soul personality and smile. Love you forever Lamar
Saquoya Gladney says
Y’all this hit home a different type of way my uncle was my goat I can’t even process this just pray for are Family and Friends ❤️
Tobias Gladney says
RIP lil cuz, God must have needed a strong soldier closer to him!!!! We never know when it’s our time, but knowing Mook, he left this world in good standings, and will be missed tremendously……
Linda M. White says
Lamar was one of my sweetest nephew. He was my oldest brother Theotis son whom god already have in heaven. God has called for another angel my nephew Lamar, I am so hurt by this because I loved him so much and will miss him so much. May god watch over his family and let them know we all love you here in Champaign.
Celia M Pugliese says
My deepest sympathies to his family as a young life was lost.
The way Casper ends in Clubhouse Drive by the water front, I believe city traffic engineer should request installation of a visible safety reflective barrier on the right of way not only to stop a vehicle but better yet warning at night of the water front dead end.
Keisha Carthen says
Lamar was definitely a real one and my heart is HURT. You remember people by what they did, but when you can remember someone who was genuine and just a good person, it stings a lil bit more. Thank you for always being a real friend who wanted the best for K and I. I was hoping to see you again in Champaign, but rest in paradise my friend, you will be missed. It’s been awhile since I cried like this over someone’s death, but man this one here.
Nicole Williams says
Lamar was my true friend. He meant the world to me. It breaks my heart and saddens me to know that I’ll never get to see him ever again. The times that we shared and the memories we made are priceless just as our friendship. This mosdef hit home in a different way, I’m still in disbelief. I don’t want to accept this yet, may the Lord watch over him and his father. May they Rest In Peace. I will truly and deeply miss him forever. My deepest condolences go out to all his family and friends and of those whom he made an impact on. Heartfelt prayers to his mother, whom I love to death. I pray she finds the strength to make it through yet another hard loss. Love you Mrs Johnson. R.I.P My King
Daniels Family says
My cousins passing bring great sadness to our family. He always thought about other’s before he thought about himself.
Whenever my family and I came to Illinois, he always made us welcome to whatever he had. I remember him always taking us to get something to eat when we came into town.
We are still in disbelief. However, I know God had another plan for his life that was greater.
He will be missed. We thank God for the beautiful memories he left us.
Te'Vee White says
Lamar…Cousin…
This still doesn’t seem real!
I will never forget the last conversation we had the last time I saw you in town! You said…“moving to Florida has been the best thing that ever happened to you!”
We laughed and hugged several times…If only I could hug you one more time 😔!
Lamar…I will never forget that you were soooo happy💙
I Love You My Handsome Cousin💙
Sleep peacefully…💙
~Te’Vee
Amy Cotton says
Mr. Lamar Johnson,
I recently received this news and did not believe this. I will never forget you, been knowing you since sixth grade. I recently was going through my photo album and have pics of you and some of our other peers having fun in the hall way at Central High School. I can say you were a kool laid back fun person , you allowed me to take those pictures with no problem and had fun with it. You will always remembered. Rest In Heaven my friend. My condolences to your family and other friends.
With Love ,
Amy Cotton and family.