A 50-year-old Palm Coast man on a bicycle lost his life Monday night (July 31) in a collision with a car on State Road 100 just west of Commerce Parkway in Bunnell.
The man’s identity has not been released.
The crash was reported to the 911 dispatch center a minute after 9 p.m. by the 77-year-old driver of the Gray Elantra that struck the cyclist. The woman at first did not know what she had struck, thinking she may have hit another vehicle. She was extremely distraught once she saw the severely inured cyclist looking lifeless in the street.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the cyclist had been crossing State Road 100 from north to south as the woman at the wheel of the Elantra was traveling west. The cyclist “failed to yield the right of way,” and was struck. FHP reported that the man was not wearing a helmet.
A passerby who happened to be a nurse stopped and tended to the victim, according to 911 notes, and reported that the victim was not breathing. The man was pronounced deceased by paramedics within minutes of the crash, cancelling an earlier request for an emergency helicopter. The driver of the Elantra, from Seville, was not physically inured.
The westbound lanes of State Road 100 were shut down as the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office turned over the ongoing investigation to FHP. The Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue responded to the scene, as did Roger’s Towing, the Bunnell wrecker.
The fatal crash was the second in five days in Flagler County, and at least the 10th fatality this year, the first to a cyclist.
Katie Berry says
Thus is heartbreaking. I pray for his family. I ride a bike mostly everyday here too and it makes me so sad to see another person on a bike killed by a motorist. I come across people speeding all the time. This road has no crosswalk and has sidewalks. He had no choice but to cross the street. Was this women speeding? How did she not see a man in the road? If you are paying attention and not speeding you can avoid these types if accidents from occurring and use the brakes. People don’t pay attention and maybe he yielded at the wrong time. I wondering if she was speeding, on the phone, has some type of impairment? I see people cross all the time ahead of my car on certain roads, I look for them and it really makes me so upset that an innocent man lost his life. Many pedestrians in Flagler have been hit and I’m not sure why this keeps happening. A crosswalk should have been on this road. A stop light at least, it’s a long stretch.
JimboXYZ says
As a general rule, for those kind of roads, cross at a traffic light when you can.. But it all depends on how far apart those traffic lights are & where you’re coming from. RIP cyclist. 9 PM is pretty much 45 minutes after sunset. Did the cyclist have lights ? Have to figure Bunnel on SR 100 is a one traffic light kind of town at US-1, the next light doesn’t happen until Belle Terre. Anywhere in between those lights & you’re taking on that risk at your own peril.
Laurel says
This is a sad situation, and I’m really sorry this incident happened. I was not there, so I don’t know the details of the accident, however, I’m sure someone will comment on the age of the driver.
Reality is that cyclists rarely pay attention to the rules of the road. Cyclists rarely stop at red lights or stop signs. They somehow feel that is not directed at them. All traffic rules are directed at cyclists the same as operators of vehicles. Cyclists are supposed to come to a full stop at a stop sign, and stop completely at a red light and wait for the light to turn green. They are supposed to change lanes properly and not just zoom across at random. They are expected to signal their intent. They are not supposed to double and triple up, side by side, in lanes.
Recently, in Jax Beach, I watched more than one cyclist peddle right down the middle of the road in the wrong direction. It was early, and the road was close to empty, but all it takes is for one car to turn, legally, onto that road. Bikes in the road, including the bike lane, are supposed to follow the direction of the traffic, not go against it.
Just like in all traffic situations, there will be tragic accidents. However, if cyclists followed the traffic rules, as is expected by the operators of vehicles, there would be less incidents and more lives saved.
My condolences to the family of this man.
Bob Lee swagger says
Guess you decided to skip past the part that reads The cyclist “failed to yield the right of way,” and was struck.
JimboXYZ says
One is never going to have right of way on SR-100 at Commerce Parkway. There is no traffic light to regulate traffic there. It’s essentially like trying to cross I-95 as a SR/Interstate highway.
And the cyclist was there after sunset according to the 911 call time of 9 PM. The article indicated he wasn’t wearing a helmet, but really a bicycle helmet is rated for a fall not a 2.5-3K lb Elantra hitting a human body at 45-55 mph. Bike helmets are Snell rated,which means they drop an object on the helmet to determine effectiveness of the foam liner. It’s really worthless rating, unless your a child under the age of 16. FL statute requires all children under that age wear a bicycle helmet. What might have saved the cyclist ? High visibility/reflective clothing & bike lights. That and timing his crossing better. It’s like a motorist trying to beat a train, the bigger object wins that tie every time. And when one does commit to insist on crossing without the protection of a light, there is no right of way for a pedestrian or cyclist.
If it’s clear, taking one’s time to cross a SR is not a wise move either. At 50 mph a car can arrive quickly, it’s a simple matter of feet per second at that speed. A car may seem further away and it’s traveling at the speed limit is the minimum assumption, too often pushing that speed limit by mph’s.
This is one reason they built the pedestrian & cyclist bridge just East of Old King’s Road. Ugly as it is, it will save lives.
SPEAKEROFTRUTH says
Thank you for this informative post that you’re not sure why someone crossing a street and not yielding to traffic would be ran over by a car.
A Concerned Observer says
Actually, Ms. Berry, the bicyclist did have a choice, and unfortunately he made it and suffered the consequences. The driver cannot be faulted in any way for this crash, but there is little doubt she will be haunted by her part for a very long time if not forever. Whether or not the driver was speeding, on the phone, or has some type of impairment is just conjecture by someone looking to somehow place blame on the innocent driver. Our society is constantly looking to blame someone else, anyone else, for causing or somehow being responsible for an incident or condition which displeased him or her. In this case, the blame lies solely on the bicyclist. Let the FHP, who has access to all of the facts and conditions existing at the time of the crash make the decision as to where the fault lies. Have sympathy for the bicyclist but save some for the driver as well.
Wow says
Can we just not jump to the blame game right away? Crap happens and we can feel bad about without trying to be the first to point fingers. All of us have done stupid moves without thinking and it’s our luck that we got away with it. No one knows for sure the circumstances. And I get it. Placing “blame” is our way of fooling ourselves that random bad luck doesn’t happen and it helps us feel in control. But can’t we just be said that a man lost his life and a woman has to feel horrible about it? Blaming is not necessary. Leave that to the insurance companies.
Skibum says
I see bicyclists constantly riding their bikes at night, with no lights or visible reflectors, even some bikers wearing black or very dark clothing and almost impossible to see! Even if you are being cautious, wearing a helmet, making sure your bike has a working headlight and tail light after dark, and following all rules of the road, you cannot win if you are in a collision with a 2-ton car. Be careful out there when riding after dark, because as difficult as it sometimes is for drivers, especially older drivers, to see bicyclists in the street among traffic during the day, it is even more difficult for them to see bicyclists at night and you are taking a big risk riding after dark!
can'tfoolme says
Only one correction, Laurel……..FL traffic laws state that bicycle traffic has the same right to the whole lane (travelling in the direction of the traffic flow) as do motor vehicles. Therefore, as many bikes as will fit side by side in the lane may do so. They may also ride anywhere within that lane, even just inside the dividing line if they so choose.
me says
The reason there are so many accidents in Flagler County is because they lack lights, sidewalks, and poor signs.
It is a disgrace how little they do to prevent constant accidents and people seem to speed everywhere and you never see them being pulled over.
It is horrible . RIP and sorry you had to lose your life that way.
Just me says
It was the fault of the cyclist.
jake says
It’s very simple, NO ONE on a bike is going to win an argument with a car. Bikers seem to think they have the right-of way, and will openly violate the law, just because they seem to think they are special. The biker was at fault, unfortunately he lost his life.
James says
People in Floriduh have a license to kill when it comes to pedestrians and bicyclists in particular. You can follow ALL the rules AND still be killed when riding a bike in Floriduh.
Oh, and doing the “right thing” by going to the light and crossing at the crosswalk can be just as dangerous and deadly… in Floriduh there’s a little thing called “Turn on red.”
A Concerned Observer says
Yes Laurel, you are correct. Many bicyclists seem to believe they have the ultimate right-of-way but they do not. The law states that if a bicyclist is riding their bicycle on the street, they are considered a vehicle. They MUST ride in the same direction as traffic AND MUST abide by all traffic lights, stop and yield signs. I am sure this will come as quite a shock to many bicyclists. They cannot simply cross a street without doing so at an intersection, just as any motor vehicle. If they are walking their bicycle through a crosswalk, they are considered pedestrians. Now, a pedestrian does have the right-of-way at a crosswalk or at a pedestrian head under the white WALK signal (BUT NOT RIDE). I would never, however, blindly step off into an intersection without waiting to see if any traffic may be making a right on red or turning from the cross street. I would no more blindly cross an intersection in my car without watching for other drivers that may not be paying attention or feel there is plenty of room to safely pull in front of me as long as I stand on my brakes to avoid a collision.
Jolene says
I am his family., i his younger sister. Thank you for your kind words. And a thank you to the nurse that stopped and tried to help.
Jolene says
People are not perfect. A man died. He was my brother. Thank you for your overwhelming sympathy.
Jo says
These comments shatter my heart. No matter what happened, this person had a family and was loved. I am part of that family, I am his sister. Full of judgments but never thinking of the decedents loved ones. We are hurting and in shock. The what ifs, the blame, it is irrelevant at this point. We all make mistakes and wrong choices. Death is usually not the consequence.
I wish ppl would think of the family as much or more than the judgment they feel they need to pass.
Emma says
He was likely not seen because it was 9pm.
I am very cautious driving in Palm Coast as there’s more rubber than road in a lot of places and more aggressive drivers than not.
Also, the landscaping architects need to stop putting giant bushes blocking oncoming and exiting traffic. It’s like this all over town. Why?
People must know how dangerous it is to ride a bicycle in traffic around here especially at night.
Such a tragedy.
Celia Pugliese says
The “cyclist failed to give the right of way? ” Such an inhuman statement. Why in Florida this words defend the careless way pedestrians, cyclist and or motorcyclist are treated by vehicles drivers at their killing machines while they do not respect the pedestrians, cyclist or motorcyclist right of ways? Then we need to learn about the very serious laws enforced in other states, that “protect us pedestrians, cyclist and or motorcyclist and other vehicles right of ways” and becomes obvious given the safety felt while visiting. I know that all these speeders around us are going to “kill this messenger now” . In my 80 years of life I never even killed a bird while at the steering wheel…just do not speed and be aware of one’s surroundings while at the steering wheel to have the power to avoid collision!
I am very sorry for the cyclist and family, RIP.
Robert Joseph Fortier says
Sorry, but bicycles and busy roads are not the best way to keep one alive. At least 1/3 of drivers in the area don’t know how to drive a vehicle safely…it’s tough when you are texting.
Florida Voter says
First: I wear reflective clothes and use a headlight/taillight set; cars still don’t “see” bicycles. I’ve been clipped by a car (Silverado … there’s something about some of the Silverado drivers in the area) that had its tires IN THE BIKE LANE.
Second: a helmet might not help when you get hit by a car, but it will probably help when you hit the pavement afterwards.
dave says
Come on Palm Coast and Flagler Cty, install some sidewalks, NOT Bike lanes and maybe we the citizens can ride in safety.
Wow says
I agree 100%. People are incredibly cruel here. My deepest sympathy.
James says
Sidewalks? Yeah, I can hear that conversation amongst our elected officials (behind closed doors that is)…
“Why install sidewalks when chances are half of Palm Coast isn’t going to be here in 50 years?”
Get it?
It’s sorta like when they first considered building on this scrap of swamp. I can just hear it now…
“Ok, we’ve found a site that’s suitable for development, but unfortunately there are several disjointed tracts of swamp that’ll really be difficult to make work.”
“Yeah, don’t worry about it, we’ll just dredge and backfill those areas… we’ll sell em as ‘canal’ homesites at twice the price. ;-)”
Get it?
Bill says
Area way overcrowded now. More crime, drugs, traffic, yep this is callrd good growth!
Sheena Johnson says
It was my auntie who stopped and helped your brother prayers to you family RIP JOHN
Laurel says
Wow: What is incredibly cruel here is that the driver has to live with the knowledge that she hit and killed someone, which could have been avoided. She has been judged with speeding, texting and what not by people who were not present. Maybe this will wake some people up and prevent more tragedy.
Momma Mia says
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a bicyclists just ride across Royal Palms Drive at Belle Terre against the walk sign without even looking. It is surprising to me that grown adults are so careless. How there hasn’t been more bike accidents there is beyond me. Both drivers and cyclist have the responsibility to be cautious
Katie Berry says
I’m so sorry this happened. I ride a bike all around Palm Coast, alone, like your brother and sometimes at night. Your brother is in my thoughts and prayers everytime I ride now and it is daily. I don’t know him but I’m sure he was a great person.
Katie says
I’m using lights too and I have had a similar experience and have been clipped myself. People are not paying much attention and I’m seeing alot of Cell phone usage and failing to yield at pedestrian crosswalks as I’m crossing the street. This man had no where else to cross safely and there is no crosswalk for over a mile.
Katie Berry says
I’m so sorry about this. I’m a cyclist too like your brother and my heart aches after reading this. I know how it is riding around Palm Coast. He will not be forgotten. ❤️
Jess says
Isn’t a Silverado a large pickup truck? You said car though. Large trucks and SUV’s have poor visibility down in front of them. People think if they’re high up they can see better but you can actually see people and bikes better while driving a car. If someone wants to choose to ride a bike if any kind at night it’s incumbent upon them to be aware of the risk they’re taking.
MeToo says
Laurel said the cyclists were going in the wrong direction. Read it again can’tfoolme.