Last Updated: Tuesday, 4:57 p.m.
Chelsea Hawk, a 39-year-old mother of three young children and one grown son and a fierce political activist, died late Monday night at Halifax hospital from injuries sustained in a car crash off I-95 Sunday, her partner and father of the three young children said.
Xion, one of the three children and the most gravely injured, was pronounced deceased today after tests indicated no brain activity. remains in critical condition, with prospects dimming, according to his father.
“Chelsea passed away last night,” Jared Upshaw, 46, wrote in a message on his Facebook page. “My soulmate is gone. The love of my life.” In mid-afternoon Tuesday, he wrote: “This is the hardest time in my life. I just said goodbye to my sweet boy. The love of my life is dead, I am now a single father of 2 which I am still grateful for. I lost half my family. I’m so shattered.”
Xion and one other child were transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children after the crash at the I-95 interchange with Beville Road in Daytona Beach (the 260A Exit), when Hawk’s and Upshaw’s minivan failed to negotiate a sharp curve, struck a road sign and ended up submerged in seven to eight feet of water in a retention pond, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Upshaw and Rhiannon were treated and released from Halifax hospital that day. Xion and Ayden were airlifted to Arnold Palmer. Ayden is recovering, according to his father. (See the highway patrol’s initial release on the crash here.)
A friend of Upshaw’s set up a GoFundMe account, the family having limited means. By mid-afternoon, the account had exceeded $6,000, a reflection of Chelsea’s wide following. But it also included an unwelcome donation.
“Fucking joe Mullins donated 500 to my go fund me. I think Chelsea would be offended,” Upshaw reported, referring to the controversial and often distasteful Flagler County commissioner. Mullins is a frequent bully online, but he insulted few people to the extent that he did Chelsea over the last few years, tormenting her about her service job, demeaning her with vile nicknames and taunting her to get out of the county.
He could not rattle her, however. “You are deliberately trying to split this community,” she once wrote him. “You are TOXIC and evil and vile and that will always be true no matter who you vote for. Threatening constituents will not be tolerated.”
The previous story is below.
Palm Coast’s Chelsea Hawk, 39, and Child Critical, 2 Other Children Hurt After Crash Into Pond
July 18–Chelsea Hawk, a 39-year-old mother of three and Palm Coast resident for the past 14 years, is in critical condition, and her three children were hospitalized, following a car crash off I-95 in Volusia County Sunday evening.
Hawk and her companion, Jared Upshaw, were moving with their children to Volusia County that very day. Upshaw and one of the children were treated and released from Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach. The two other children were transferred to a children’s hospital in Orlando.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that sheriff’s deputies responded to the I-95 south, Beville Road off ramp Sunday evening “in reference to a vehicle in a lake. Upon arrival deputies were advised there [were] three juveniles (10, 12, and 13 [years old]) in the vehicle and 2 adults,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said. Deputies assisted firefighters in pulling the victims out of the lake and administered CPR. All victims were initially transported to Halifax Hospital, and the scene was turned over to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP reported that the vehicle, a minivan, failed to negotiate the exit curve, sliding into the grass, then into the water. The crash took place at 8:15 p.m. There had been extremely heavy rain in the area Sunday afternoon into evening, with visibility reduced to a few feet at times. It’s not clear if it was raining at the time of the crash.
WESH 2 News’s Claire Metz today reported that the minivan became submerged, that the driver–now known to be Upshaw–had minor injuries, and that the 10 and 12-year-old children were transferred to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. But there was no update on the children’s conditions.
Upshaw, under a different name, posted a brief message on his Facebook page Sunday night, referring to the crash and speaking in dire terms about Hawk and one of the children. In early afternoon, he posted an update stating that “Chelsea is still un unresponsive they are keeping her blood pressure up with chemicals. It doesn’t look good. Xion is also still unresponsive.” Ayden, he wrote, “is a little beat up but he’s alive and awake.” Rhiannon, the third child, had been treated and released.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
OMG Many many prayers for Chelsea. Lots of us knew her too on F.Book. Hope she makes it.
Jimbo99 says
When it rains, slow down, hydroplaning & traction loss doesn’t end well.
Leila says
Prayers going up for Chelsea and her family. Asking for a miracle.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Ya,
I have hydroplaned off the road in the past scary times.
I encourage everyone to check their vehicle tire threads today.
Best to the family, with the decisions they face.
Heather says
I love you, Chelsea! Sending prayers for you and your babies.
Dawn says
Sending prayers
Izabel says
Chelsea is an amazing human and a fighter. Rooting for you Chelsea! Love you my friend! Sending prayers to you and your family 🙏🏻❤️
Marlene Beams says
This is the sweetest family. My heart aches for them. I pray for full recovery for everyone. Jared and Chelsea are wonderful parents and love their children so much.
Cheryl says
According to fhp website it took nearly 30 minutes from dispatch to arrival of help! This says EMTs pulled them from the water! We’re they submerged for all that time?!
Heather says
What’s the FHP website?
Nancy N. says
If that refers to the FHP arrival time, they were not the first agency on the scene according to Flagler Live.
Prayer for you Chelsea and your family says
How terrible. Keeping Chelsea and her family in our thoughts and prayers. I hope she will pull through this. With the power of prayer anything is possible.
Merrill Shapiro says
What a dreadful loss! What a loss to family, friends and the legions of Progressives in our community. The angels circling the Heavenly Throne are shedding tears for Chelsea and her family.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Oh God how so so sad for Jared, their sons . Why did a good decent woman so young who did no harm to anyone, have to suffer and die just like that ? Life does not seem fair when things like this happen. My prayers and condolences are with her partner, sons ,family and close friends.
Pamela says
RIP young lady. I pray your children will find comfort soon and be able to continue in life remembering what a wonder Mom they had.
Me says
Very sad, my thoughts and prayers for the loss of your loved ones and praying for those remaining to get well soon.
Julie Smith says
I am so sorry this happened but if he is not happy that joe Mullins donated then give it back! I happened to be some one that she hoped online l that I would die from Covid for my Political beliefs! My heart breaks for this family!
Blossom says
Mullins has no sense of shame, of right or wrong. Every thought, every deed is to promote himself and Heaven help you if you get in his way. Chelsea knew who and what he was. He spent years trying to make her life miserable. Surely this millionaire could afford more than a measly $500? How about starting a college fund for her kids, Joe? Actually, with the hell you put Chelsea through, no amount will be high enough. I think she would be happy if you just went away.
ULTRA MAGA says
Prayers for her and family! The Speed Limit On I-95 is 70mph Yet the exit speed limit is 25mph! It is TOO easy to enter the exit driving faster than 25mph! The highways in Florida are designed to keep the Doctors and Undertakers in Business!
Michael Cocchiola says
Chelsea was always a fervent advocate for what she believed in. A true community activist.
Lee Swendsen says
I’ve known Chelsea since she was knee high to a grasshopper! She was one remarkable woman. So passionate and electrifying; when she took on a cause she gave 110%. She will surely be missed, she was a one-of-a-kind woman. Her boundaries were limitless and her strength was all in compassing! May she rest in ☮️!
Lee Swendsen Colorado Springs Colorado.
Karry says
Same .. she wished death on a friend of mine and her child because they had different political opinions. Jared should give the money back to Joe since they hated him so much and clearly many others without their point of view. It’s unfortunate and I pray for those children… be careful what you wish onto others. God bless those children.
Julie Smith says
I agree 100 percent
Ann says
Look at you shameless bitter hearts carrying grudges on a memorial post. You BOTH should be ashamed of yourselves.
Judging from your comments and lack of class I’d say she may have been out of line with anything you provoked her to say to you but you deserved it.
The world was a better place with her in it.