A 51-year-old woman died following a two-vehicle crash at Belle Terre Parkway and Pine Grove Drive Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m.
The victim appeared to have been ejected from one of the vehicles through the windshield and was reported to be on the pavement when callers alerted authorities. It isn’t yet confirmed from which vehicle the woman was ejected, but the SUV broadsided the classic car, suggesting that one of the two vehicles broke the other’s right-of-way at an intersection that has been the scene of numerous crashes as vehicles turn onto or from Pine Grove Drive. The crash took place in the southbound lanes.
The crash involved a Nissan Rogue and an antique vehicle. A Florida Highway Patrol report issued late Wednesday states the SUV was driving north on Belle Terre and the classic vehicle was driving on Pine Grove, crossing left to go south on Belle Terre–violating Belle Terre traffic’s right of way–when the SUV struck it. The 36-year-old male driver of the SUV had minor injuries. Both victims in the crash are from Palm Coast.
The Nissan SUV had severe damage to its front. Flagler County FireFlight, the emergency helicopter, landed on Belle Terre Parkway, north of the crash, to evacuate the patient to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach.
Both southbound lanes and northbound were closed before one northbound lane was subsequently opened. Southbound traffic was diverted onto Whiteview Parkway. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was first at the scene. The Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue responded. The investigation was turned over to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Palm Coast Fire Police was expected to regulate traffic.
It has been a grim stretch of days on Flagler County and Palm Coast roads, with four deaths from three separate crashes last Friday, prompting the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office today to issue a notice about what it calls Operation D.R.I.V.E. (Distracted and Reckless Intersection Violation Enforcement), a joint operation with FHP and the Bunnell and Flagler Beach police departments. The initiative coordinates “enforcement efforts focusing on reducing distracted and reckless driving and crashes occurring at intersection,” according to a sheriff’s release. (See: “Three People Killed in Two Separate Head-On Crashes in Heavy Fog on SR100 West of Bunnell,” and “4th Person Killed in 7 Hours on Flagler Roads as Woman Crashes Off US1 in Bunnell.”)
More than 36-percent of the 2,370 crashes in Flagler County in 2021 occurred as a motorist was entering an intersection, inside of an intersection or as they exited an intersection, the release noted. Tonight’s crash will add to that tally. The operation was conducted last year, when the county saw the fewest road fatalities in 27 years.
American says
Our Prayers are with everyone involved! Praying that who’s in critical condition and was taken away in helicopter is ok. Very sad! They really need a light there at that intersection as lived in this neighborhood for 12 years it’s very dangerous to cross over and sometimes you think you have it you don’t. Praying!
Bruce says
Sad to say my Bride past away. They need to make it right turn only! There have been multiple deaths at this intersection every year for at least the last ten.
Lynda M Troina says
Bruce I am so so sorry. Prayers for your strength in this very heart wrenching time. 🙏❤️
Tabby says
Bruce,
I am so sorry for your loss and pray for comfort for you and your family during this time.
I was in an accident at that same intersection in September. My vehicle was totaled and now I avoid Belle Terre at all costs. The city needs to do something about that! I feel terribly that it cost you so dearly.
chuck says
people drive crazy in palm coast it is terribly everyone in hurry
its a disgrace people are dying in droves and have no cosideration
on the roads he that pursues evil pursues it to hisown death
Greg B says
Exactly what kinda “evil” did this person pursue that made it ok, in your eyes, to die in this accident? Have you given any consideration to the fact that you are not the only person on the road that knows how to drive safely? Have you considered that you or people that drive like yo, might actually be the cause of a lot of these accidents? Complaining about everyone being in a hurry and driving fast probably means you are creating the unsafe conditions by driving well below the speed limit while occupying the far left lane that is designated as the passing lane! You force other drivers to pass you on the right and weave in and out of traffic to get around you! SLOWER does NOT always equate to safer, especially when you are the only one driving slow and occupy the left lane!
Francesca says
At this point the city is responsible. Do not let people make left turns out of this intersection!!
I hope everyone involved is alright.
Jimbo99 says
Wow, that’s less than a mile away. As traffic is getting worse with the growth around here, I won’t make a left turn on Belle Terre without a traffic light, unless it’s the middle of the night for this very reason. Too often traffic in both directions is only getting 1/2 way across Belle Terre and having to wait anyway. I’m on record, warned everyone about this, adding too many apartments & homes with the few roads this county has that we would see more of these types of collisions. Pine Grove Drive & Belle Terre is one of the last intersections I even want to cross on bicycle. The right turn motorists simply only look to their left. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the more growth this area experiences the more collisions with motor vehicles, pedestrians & cyclist will happen. Palm Coast is going to have to pump the brakes on those real estate development approvals & constructions and get the roads & traffic control devices in order to handle the population growth for the additional traffic. They may have to create round-abouts on Belle Terre for traffic in between the lights ?
Melissa says
Agreed I live on pine haven and have heard and witnessed about 6 in the last 5 years living here. I will purposely go to the light and make a u-turn or take the longer route to white view and travel with the light rather than risk it.
jane doh says
And that is the way to handle it when there is a lot of traffic.
``Ben Dover says
Most people driving fast in this town are trying to beat the next light , one turns green the next turns red , they set them up like that purposely when they were trying to get people to run red lights and get caught on redlight cams it was disgraceful that they set the lights up like that ,shortening the yellow light too , traffic is meant to flow not getting stuck at every single light, and the only way to beat them is to drive faster , gas cost way way way too much to sit at 8 traffic lights trying to get across town, they cost me 50 dollars a week that I can`t afford just going from Whipporwill to the Wooodlands, and then you have that morons coasting along on their cell phones like they are on the living room couch, or the rednecks that purposely leave 8 car lengths between them and the car in front of them purposely pissing people off with their Trump flags or stickers , and these greedy council members that keep ripping off land that was set aside for wild life to line their pockets with kick backs from the developers, they are destroying what once was a quiet safe place to live , there is no more room in this town WE ARE FULL UP !! , we dont have enough water , the sewers were backing up with last hurricane , they need to stop building , our roads can`t handle anymore traffic ,ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!
FlaglerLive says
There is a stop sign, not a traffic light, at Pine Grove and Belle Terre.
Ben Dover says
And there are at least 6 traffic lights to get stuck at on Belle Terre people are driving over the speed limit on Belle Terre to avoid getting stuck at the lights the people coming out of Pine Grove probably didn’t realize how fast the other car was traveling on Belle Terre I have to get out of Whipporwill where there is no light and its not easy with cars flying to avoid lights cops do it too they drive faster to avoid getting stuck because once you are stuck at one you are stuck at the rest
David Schaefer says
Mr Bend Over you are 100% correct Thank You…
Orlando or bust says
It’s on,y going to get worse, with a new housing development or two approved every week. You want Orlando, you will soon have it with uncontrolled growth.
Steve lancour says
Wheres a cop when you need one. I am a regular hot rod guy that goes to Woodys on wednesday nite. We never see anyone get caught passing by woodys out on the street going wide open, at probably 70mph. See it all the time. Just saying. Way too many fools speeding, and playing with their damn phones.
palmcoaster says
We need our sheriff traffic units at work monitoring and and handing heavy fines to drivers caught in violations and use the fines revenue to fund more sheriff traffic units! While this won’t take place devastating injuries, loss of life and property will continue escalating. We still do not see as often as needed in our city the presence of traffic monitoring units needed. I yet do not understand why…I see drivers commiting well intended violations every time I drive out into the surrounding areas a total display of bullies at the steering wheel totally unmonitored. Do anyone else see this? If so please say somethingor do something. Violation of traffic laws is also a crime for Sheriff Staly to combat as well.
David says
Hate to say it but the law enforcement vehicles break the rules too. Not a day goes by that I see at least one or more not stopping at stop signs, no signal when changing lanes or turning, passing others at 10 MPH or more over the limit without lights, cell phones up at their ears or dialing, etc. Not just here but all over.
TR says
Lets not forget the police cars are equipped with something else all other cars do not have. A computer to the right of the driver. I have seen some officers going past me without lights on at (like you said) 10 mph faster looking to their right on the computer. Just another distraction as to a look away from the road can end badly. Just saying. The deputies need to set an example about the rules of the road and follow them if they are going to enforce them upon everyone else. jmo
Anonymous says
So true
Concerned Citizen says
I hope folks recover OK.
It’s been a crazy week in this county. Folks need to slow down some put the devices away and concentrate on driving. A little respect and kindness goes a long ways in keeping our roads safe. And everyone deserves to make it home to their loved ones.
TR says
Unfortunately the woman that was ejected from her vehicle did not survive the accident.
Crystal says
She was in the Thunderbird. She passed yesterday morning. So sad. My husband was a witness to the accident.
Arthur Friedman says
Sadly the traffic laws are simply not enforced in Florida. The result is more deaths and injuries. And the numbers are tragic. WE NEED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT! There is absolutely no speed limit enforcement anywhere! Why not. A great source of revenue. Bring back the red light cameras and add speed cameras as in Europe. That and only that will stop the carnage.
Mark says
I agree to traffic enforcement but no to red light cameras. Have seen way too many towns use them for just raising funds and not caring about law enforcement for other traffic infractions. Lights being activated too quickly and people being an inch over the line. Too many red light infractions that are ticketed would never be ticketed by an Officer unless there were other mitigating circumstances.
Cheryl says
With all the new houses going up off Pine Grove, which is insane, they need a better traffic plan. Getting out of that intersection is hard and since I have lived here, so many people have died there. HOW MANY LIVES, til this City of Palm Coast does something. They take the time and money for putting trees up in the middle. Fix this as this is all on the CITY OF PALM COAST! Til it’s one of theirs, they will probably not do a thing. So sad. Make it a right turn only and a uturn for white view if you can’t put a light and synchronize it with white view.
STAN says
I feel that at the time of day of this accident could have been the problem.The car that hit her was a dark color ,if this car did not have it’s headlights on being almost dusk it could have blended in with the background , so when she looked left to see if a car was coming it looked clear,that is when she pulled out in front of this car. I have noticed over the years of driving that for some unknown reason dark colored car seem to wait longer to put on their headlights either at dusk or dawn, why, i wish someone would give me the answer.Take notice of this situation when your driving and see if dark cars are doing this with their headlights.
My 2¢ says
Common sense: understanding that the intersection of Belle Terre and Pine Grove is dangerous for a left hand turn. It is is not illegal nor prohibited – it is dangerous. So —- either turn right and do a u-turn at the light, or take Pine Tree to Whiteview and go left at the light.
This is not rocket science. This is common sense. Don’t blame the drivers, traffic control, FCSO, FDOT, or anything else. Blame yourself for not being a safe driver using common sense to stay alive.
Marcia says
There is things that the town could do more of to improve the issue on Belle Terre. Light control and speed is a start. The other would be to have it when you come out of the side streets to cross over to have a longer entrance ramp on Belle Terre. Most towns have that so when you pull out you have a longer entrance ramp so you can see the traffic flow. Lower the traffic speed all thru Palm Coast. It’s 45 and people go 55 and up. If its slower people have more time to react if someone pulls out in front of them. But the town is to busy collecting money from the developers that they don’t care.
P.S it sounded like you work for one of those dept. That you mention.
Misty35 says
My deepest condolences to the family. I lived in Palm Coast for 11 years on Prince John Ln and moved out 2021 due to the over development, congestion and the negative direction the city was heading/big city life. I’m very familiar with Pine Grove and it is a death trap like many others crossovers in Palm Coast. With the increase in population you definitely need lights on all these crossovers. You cannot expect people to drive a mile the opposite direction to find a light. Unfortunately there are MANY other streets similar to Pine Grove where people have no alternative but to crossover and risk their life. The city has been well aware of the many accidents occurring in these intersections for YEARS, done traffic studies and done nothing! Maybe a lawsuit against the city for negligence will wake them up.
Marcia says
Yes I agree with Misty35
Thank you for saying what you did. The poor families who lost a love one because of the city . Yes a lawsuit might wake them up.
Ken Robinson says
One of the best decisions that I have ever made was leaving Palm Coast, Pine Grove Dr after living there 9 years. I will NEVER go back to such sensless people.
C’mon man says
It’s only a matter of time before there are traffic lights at ever intersection on Belleterre. This road is just to congested
David Schaefer says
Someone needs to bring the largest law suite against the city to make these clowns to do their job. This place is going down hill by the week and all these people care about is MONEY not the citizens and another person had to lose their life because of them.
ranger says
I got into a nasty crash exactly at pine grove two years ago, seeing this makes my gut wrench. For the past few months I’ve seen her memorial in that spot and have felt a deep sorrow for her—pine grove @belle terre feels like a haunted death trap. It NEEDS to be a light or at least a right turn only. For my case, I was driving north on Belle terre and someone turning left off of pine grove t-boned me, and it seems like the same thing happens repeatedly. I’m a firm believer that the city should do something about this. I get the arguments of ‘people should be smart drivers’, but human error still exists. someone could think they’re all clear and go-then boom. I’m late to this article but after seeing her memorial for so long in the same spot my truck flipped, I just needed to know. All my condolences go to the family. ❤️