A Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy sent 54-year-old Palm Coast motorcyclist Selbert A. Mills to a hospital in serious condition after the deputy’s cruiser collided with the motorcycle at Seminole Woods Boulevard and Sloganeer Trail early Thursday evening (March 20).
Jeremy Chambers, a 10-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, was at fault by violating the rider’s right of way, a crash report concluded.
Chambers had been dispatched to check on a possible hitchhiker on the south side of Old Dixie Highway, west of I-95. The woman was an “older female” who’d been sitting there with luggage for a couple of hours, according to dispatch notes.
Chambers confirmed getting the call at 6:09 p.m.
Nine minutes later, 911 got the call about a “motorcycle down,” and that Chambers’s cruiser was involved. Two minutes later Mills was determined to have suffered small lacerations and a back injury. A dozen units were dispatched to the scene and Seminole Woods was closed in both directions at the Sheriff’s Office command, at Sesame Boulevard.
The Florida Highway Patrol was notified of the crash at 6:33 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol’s Cpl. Pete Young, after investigating the scene, determined that Chambers had been traveling south on Seminole Woods Boulevard in his department-issued 2014 Ford Crown Victoria while Mills was traveling north on his 2014 Honda M/C motorcycle. Chambers was making a left turn in front of the motorcycle, according to Young’s report, causing the motorcycle to crash into the cruiser and eject Mills. No alcohol was involved.
Mills was transported to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach. Chambers was transported to Florida Hospital Flagler by the Sheriff’s Office’s Cpl. Jon Welker, according to Bob Weber, a sheriff’s spokesman.
At 10:17 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office’s David Williams reported that Chambers’s cruiser was towed by Roger’s towing, and that he had secured the deputy’s rifle as well as his laptop. The Crown Vic sustained some $5,000 in damages.
“Deputy Chambers is off duty, as per his normal work schedule for the next several days,” Weber noted. “The incident would be considered workers comp related.”
Deputies log hundreds of thousands of miles a year on Flagler roads, periodically causing or being the victim of crashes.
GO4it says
I have known Chambers for a long time. He is a good officer. Accidents occur especially when they clock the number of hours in a car that police officers do. I hope both people are ok. I know Chambers is devastated by this incident.
tom jacks says
I clocked over 1500 miles per week in a pickup during my career lasting 21 years and never violated any one’s right of way. That excuse carries no weight. The deputy was careless plain and simple.
Frank Diliberto says
Consider yourself lucky
The Geode says
Not lucky. Careful.
confidential says
These deputies are serving us in our street day in and day out always going to some urgent call.
No one is perfect…and anything smaller than a four wheel vehicle is a bit harder to see in time, to avoid a collision . I hope Mr. Mills recovers well and soon. By the way I always yield to law enforcement, ambulances or fire department or any emergency services while in traffic.
Anonymous says
I have known Mr. Mill for about thirty years he have always been a rider for years both in the U.S and Jamaica we rode together for years, he is a careful rider. My prayers is that Mr. Mills will make a full recover from his injuries. Unfortunately accidents does happened.
Raul Troche says
About two months ago I was heading south on Colbert about to go across the intersection with Palm Coast Pkwy on a green light. Suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere a police car facing east at the red light pulled out with no lights, siren, or warning pulled out to make a left in front of me. I was shocked. I hit the brakes so hard and quickly that even with ABS the wheels temporarily locked up. I thought this is it and prepared for the crash. Thanks to the ABS and maybe some angel we missed by inches.
I wanted to actually turn around and go after him but the opportunity was not there. The incident left my adrenaline flowing and my heart pounding for the next 20 minutes
tom jacks says
A dozen units were dispatched to the scene. Are you kidding me, 12 units to the scene of a vehicle wreck. Why did it take 12 units? Wouldn’t 2 units, a supervisor and ambulance have been enough? Did Manfree dispatch so many officers to try to cover up something, but then the Highway Patrol showed up to spoil that plan? Let’s see what kind of discipline the office is subject to if any. My money says he will probably be promoted.
Pays Attention says
Look Twice save a life campaign is not just for bike week, its for everyday. Was dash cam on, does it show proof the officer came to a full stop before pulling out in front of motorcycle. There is no reason this should have happened. There is no urgency to check out a hitchhiker, homeless person etc. I note several times a week how the officers in Palm Coast do not abide by traffic laws. Speeding without lights and sirens. Making U turns on Belle terre in the grassy medians. The cyclist could have been killed. There is no excuse for pulling out in front of anyone by anyone. 99% of all accidents can be prevented, fact.