Last Updated: Friday, 10:59 a.m.
Travis Staub, 30, was riding his motorcycle when he was critically injured in a head-on collision with a car on Rymfire Drive in Palm Coast this evening (March 9).
The crash took place at 6:30 p.m. about halfway between the two intersections with Rymfire of Rae Drive, which makes a large northern loop into the R-Section. Rymfire curves slightly where the crash occurred.
Indications from the scene are that the Staub, who was riding west, failed to negotiate the curve and crashed into the oncoming, eastbound car, a Hyundai, having crossed significantly into the oncoming lane. Rymfire is a two-lane road at that point. The eastbound car, well in its lane, was not near the center line, but rather hugging the white shoulder line.
Patricia Mon, 60, was at the wheel of the eastbound car, a 2012 Hyundai.
The full-force crash resulted in Staub being amputated at the ankle when, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Staub at the last moment try to avert the crash by suddenly steering right, causing the front of the Hyundai to strike the side of his motorcycle–and his left leg.
Capt. Kyle Berryhill, in command at the scene for the Palm Coast Fire Department, confirmed the extent of the injury. Staub was initially going to be flown to a trauma center, likely Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach. But he could not be stabilized and was taken to Florida Hospital Flagler to be stabilized there before being flown to a trauma center. His Glasgow Coma Scale registered a 3 at the scene, the lowest on the 15-point scale used to evaluate patients at the scene of traumatic incidents. It essentially means he was not responsive.
Mon was taken to Florida Hospital Flagler.
Rymfire was closed to traffic between the two intersections with Rae Drive, with the Palm Coast Fire Police, as always, regulating traffic. Flagler County Fire Rescue also responded, as did the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, which was first on scene. The investigation was expected to be turned over to the Florida Highway Patrol, and the road was expected to remain closed possibly for a few hours. (The scene cleared at about 8:30 p.m.)
911 dispatch notes obtained Friday morning indicate the crash was reported at 6:28 p.m., that the victim was not breathing after the crash and wore no helmet. The driver of the car was “bleeding from her face.” The amputation was reported as affecting the left leg below the knee, with a “partial amputation” of the right leg, which was “severely disfigured.” Tourniquets were applied to both legs by a sheriff’s deputy. The deputies who tended to the patient before paramedics arrived were Marcus Dawson and Daniel Malta.
As of late Friday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol had yet to issue a report on the crash, and had not respond to a written inquiry requesting the identities of those involved. It finally issued a report after the third request, four days later, on March 13.
Rescuers were bracing for Bike Week, which was not to start officially until March 10.
South Florida says
Rymfire is getting a lot more traffic. Ppl are driving faster and a lot don’t pay attention. I’m sorry for the motorcyclist loososing their ankle. This area has changed quite a bit just in 3 years.
C says
How sad. Everyday it seems Palm Coast has some kind of accident. I see horrible drivers in this town every single day. Not enjoying PC like I used to.
Nicole says
I am so glad he is alive! When the 911 operator asked if he was alive, I was unsure what to say. I have been praying all night. I hope he has a speedy recovery.
anonymus says
Prayers to all involved
DRedder says
Another tradgic incident that I’m sure street lights and sidewalks would have prevented. Not
TheBoldTruth69 says
Looks like bikers need to look out for cars.
Old Lady says
And so it goes
Richard Smith says
Not much to say on this tragic accident other than hopefully the biker will recover from his trauma, have access to any needed prosthesis and give thanks everyday to his God that he is alive to see another day. Based on the photos and how the accident went down he should be dead.
Bike Week starts today. Please everyone, bikers and car drivers SLOW DOWN, look THREE times and get off of that device that you would think is another appendage.
Kenny says
Its BIKE WEEK !!!!
Scott says
What was he doing about a 100 mph around the curve?
gmath55 says
Same old, same old. Nothing new here.
Patient Driver says
Yet another case of unjustified “slow down, look twice, watch for bikers” comments. This innocent woman was in her own lane, minding her own business, and a biker hit her when he was on the wrong side of the road. SMH
woody says
AS a “biker” you not need to be speeding to get to wide around a turn like this.Inexperience,outside distraction even for a second will result in getting wide.I travel Rymfire daily and know the road well and can see this happening.I have also experienced vehicles “straddling” the around that turn making me swerve to the right.
Concerned Citizen says
OK here goes.
Only one day into Bike week and we have a major accident. So far most of the violations I have observed have been bikers who think they own the road.
Case in point on A1A I watched bikes weaving in and out of traffic riding 2 abreast and passing in no passing lanes. Law Enforcement gives them a free pass this week though.
Yes we appreciate you coming to visit and bringing extra money into town. Yes we are willing to put up with congested roads noise and countless bikers only parking. But please understand that traffic laws apply to you as well.
I hope that Every One will just slow down and take a little more time to to be careful. We all want to get tour destination in one piece and enjoy the various events.
Howard Duley says
I have been blown off by motorcycles dozens of times on Royal Palms on the east section. These kids were screaming on these crotch rockets. I rode bikes for 35 years and can tell you if you don’t make a corner it’s most likely because your flying or turned your head which causes the bike to pull. Tragically young people are hard learners. If he survives he will be a mess for the rest of his life.
Anonymous says
any name released yet?
Tom Davies says
There is a dip in the road at that point due to the culver in the poorly laid road, I’m sure the road will still not get repaired after this awful situation.
Katy C. says
People can blame the road conditions, lack of street lights or lack of sidewalks. Bottom line, if you are driving a vehicle, STAY ALERT!! Speed limits are in place for a reason. You are not the only driver on the road. Hope both drivers recover from this.
Tom says
Yup the road is still not repaired, and BoldTruth69 your completely wrong