Kelvin Smith, 16, was killed this evening, New Year’s Eve, in an apparent hit-and-run as he was cycling on Old Kings Road near Palm Coast’s F-Section.
Smith was struck from behind and left on the road as the vehicle drove on at 7:20 p.m. The collision took place between Farnum Lane and Farmsworth Drive on Old Kings Road, just north of the Elks Lodge. An emergency helicopter was placed on alert but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:35 p.m.
Old Kings North was closed in both directions from Frontier Drive at the south end to Farmsworth Drive at the north end. The road was expected to remain closed for several hours as Florida Highway Patrol investigators conducted their investigation. The body of the victim could not be removed until the arrival of the medical examiner.
Authorities were listing the incident as a hit-and-run. Shortly after the collision, a sheriff’s deputy located a pick-up truck, its engine still warm, with front-end damage, parked behind Kingdom Hall, the Jehovah’s Witnesses building, at 1970 Old Kings Road. It’s not clear if the vehicle is connected to the wreck.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the pick-up truck involved in the hit-and-run was last seen traveling northbound on Old Kings Road. Authorities are looking for what is possibly a Ford-model truck. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the pick-up truck and driver should notify FHP’s Corporal J. Rountree by email at [email protected] or at 904/825-5080.
Smith’s death was the second fatality on Flagler County roads in two days. Friday afternoon, a 63-year-old woman, Alyce Whitman of Crescent City, was killed in a crash at the intersection of County Roads 304 and 305 at the southwest end of the county.
Today’s fatality took place during an evening when first responders were called out on numerous emergencies, including several minor wrecks, a brush fire at the intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and Rymfire Drive (it was controlled), and a house fire that turned out to be contained to a kitchen at 149 Brunswick Lane.
PCer says
Prayers for the family.
Jessy says
These things happen because people on the road do not care!! I cross the road with my son at the correct place with pressing the button on the pedestrian crossing, and we wait for the man o come, and cross while the hand flashes or the time runs down, and still people turn on the corner when we have the right of way!! We had one guy blow his horn at us a few days ago, and what for…..wait your turn to cross while we have the right of way…..if you do not want other people on the road around you whether it be cars, bikes, or people on foot…..then do not use the roads at all so nobody ends up in hospital or in this case dead!! K hope who ever killed this guy gets life in prison so we have one less idiot on the road!!
Christina says
Please can we get sidewalks on Old Kings? Left turn lights on BelleTerre for people leaving the schools? Growing too fast as a city not to build the urban infrastructure! How many more children must die because of pedestrian/ auto accidents and poor city planning?
The Geode says
Aw man! Condolences to the family. This sucks…
no says
Old kings road is a city road
jim says
God Bless and Godspeed to the boy and his family. ANYONE w/ info MUST come forward and bring closure to the family…DO THE RIGHT THING!
Wendy kuhn says
I’m so sorry for your loss as I’m still living this my 16 year old son was killed in 10/ 10/16
Richard Smith says
I could never understand how a person driving a vehicle could do such a horrible despicable act. To hit and or kill someone and then drive away without rendering help. Obviously they were either totally intoxicated or drugged up. Personally I think those people should quietly go overdose on their “drugs” and be gone from our society so that sane intelligent people can live without the fear of some druggy killing them. Getting killed from an accident is one thing but being murdered my some person enjoying their endorphins is the reason our prisons are so overloaded.
Flagler County is depraved says
Oh dear God. Prayers to the Family. Such a tragedy.
Sw says
Find the coward and hang em high
Born and Raised Here says
Don’t know how many times I have rode my bike, come to an intersection and have the right a way. Then proceed in the cross walk only to have a vehicle turn right at a red light with stopping and nearly hit me. Drivers either don’t care, are distracted, or don’t no traffic laws on approaching an intersection with pedestrians or cyclists in crosswalks.
Vicki and Brian Nixon says
Our deepest condolences go out to this poor boys family and friends and I pray that whoever did this will come forward have to answer to God at the end of the day.
Christin Conner says
This has got to end!! My cousin Dalton was 16, and killed in a hit in run in St.Augustine in October. They are still looking for the person who hit him. I feel for the mother who lost her son last night, because I have seen what it does to my aunt. What makes it even worse is that the coward who hit him ran!!!! I hope this family finds the killer soon and gets justice for their boy. And a new law needs to happen that any road you can drive 40mph on must have a sidewalk!!!!
Lo says
Palm Coast needs more light. It is to dark on all roadways. I have never been in a city as dark as Palm coast. Major roads need more street lights. Neighborhoods could use more lights as well. This being said, prayers for this family during this tough time.
Michael says
WE NEED SOME DAM LIGHTS AND SIDEWALKS PALM COAST!!! THIS IS THE BLACKEST PLACE I EVER LIVED AT NIGHT!!! FUCK YOUR TRAFFIC CAMS!!!! I WANT MORE LIGHTS….AND MORE SIDEWALKS!!!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
BlueJammers says
Parents should not outlive their children. May God be with this family in the difficult days ahead.
Michael says
WE NEED SOME DAM LIGHTS AND SIDEWALKS PALM COAST!!! THIS IS THE BLACKEST PLACE I EVER LIVED AT NIGHT!!! FORGET YOUR TRAFFIC CAMS!!!! I WANT MORE LIGHTS….AND MORE SIDEWALKS!!!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Lavon Gates says
Please someone find the Mother and reach out to his parents especially his Mother . I’m able to get to her and the family. She just move up that way earlier last year. I watch this young man grow up from a toddler he was her oldest and only Son. He was a big brother of two younger sisters. He was raised well sweet spirit just like his parents. It’s very sad that things like this happen to people’s that we love…Please!!! keep the family in your prayers.. We Love you all 😍😂😍 Betsy n Kevin
Lavon Gates says
I’m not able to get to them..please keep them in prayer..
paul R says
city make sidewalks where we not need it why we need sidewalks in US1 both sides?yesterday when i saw the road close i tell my wife “somebody got killed on bicycle” i know thats going to happen soon or later.. it is about time to the city do something .FEEL SORRY FOR THE LOST
brian says
no doubt a drunk driver..no doubt at all..they didn’t want 20 years in prison..is the 20 years too stiff? just wondering..RIP..
The Truth says
What a sad way to end the year for this poor family. I can’t help but think about them on this day and how their year has started off with tragedy.
To those complaining about the lack of lights, I agree. Yes Palm Coast needs more lighting on major roads and even some neighborhood roads, however, it comes down to drivers being more attentive to our surroundings. Far too many people are distracted while driving with their phones, their radio or countless other devices. Pay attention to what’s going on around you, drive slower and move over when you see someone riding their bike or walking on the side of the road. I walk my dog every morning and see people fly by me without moving over. It’s very sad that many don’t have any respect for anyone else but themselves. Until this changes, these tragedies will continue to happen.
The Truth says
20 years to stiff? If someone has the audacity to drive drunk and it turns into them killing someone because of that decision, I think they should get much worse than 20 years. Perhaps that would make people think twice about driving drunk.
karin merrell says
May God keep this family in the palms of his hands as they cope with the tragedy of their son. My prayers are with you.
I live off Old Kings Road. This is truly the most neglected main corridor in Palm Coast.I t is also one of the darkest roads.
To the powers that be in public office….do something.
Concerned Citizen says
I agree to what ” The Truth says”..People need to pay more attention to “DRIVING”. Everyone who gets behind the wheel of a car, bus, truck or whatever is not a driver. You are a driver when you know the street laws and signs and right of ways.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THIS FAMILY. MY SON WAS KILLED IN A CAR A ACCIDENT ALSO. THE PAIN NEVER GOES AWAY.
I PRAY GOD GIVES THIS FAMILY THE STRENGTH TO GO ON. PLEASE SEEK GODBAND ALWAYS TTALKABOUT HIM. MY FAMILY DOES THAT AND IT HELPS TO EASE THE PAIN THAT YOU HAVE. MY CONDOLENCES TO THIS FAMILY.
PEOPLE ARE IN SUCH A RUSH. THEY GET BEHIND YOU VERY CLOSE ON THE ROAD AND GOD FOFORBIDS WHEN YOU STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT..YOU WOULD THINK THEY ARE IN YOUR BACK SEAT..DRIVERS NEED TO HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER AND BE MORE RESPONSIBLE AND MORE RESPECTFUL…
F Section Home Owner says
Please, everyone read what The Truth said. While yes the roads are dark and the lack of sidewalks are apparent, we all know we’ve had moments of inattentiveness on the roadway. Look deep within yourselves, and I’m sure you will agree that there is a general lack of courtesy on the roadways throughout the entire area. We must lead by example and DEMONSTRATE to the youth the way to safely use the roadways.
The young child who was struck a year ago, the children hit on their way to and from school…I plead to all parents to think about what example they are setting for their children as they drive. While it is easy to point to the car ahead of you, proclaiming the recklessness of their driving, I think we can all agree we need to tackle this collectively as a community.
Everyone rolls through stop signs. Everyone cuts people off. Everyone fails to use signals. Everyone fails to provide adequate distances between vehicles. Everyone recklessly passes bikers instead of taking EXTRA precautions.
These truths might be hard to accept, but I sincerely hope that we can begin working towards effective change in driving behaviors. I don’t pray, but my thoughts are with the family today. My heart hurts thinking about what they must be going through.
USA Lover says
RIP Kelvin…..smh
truthsayer says
Street lights or no street lights pedestrians people on blcycles,motorcyles it does not matter.Look at Alyce Wittman broad daylight it happens just careleessness.
I/M/O says
I/M/O anyone who leaves a child in a ditch to die deserves no mercy when caught.
Will they be caught? Absolutely.
There are cameras all over Kings Road. I am sure the Sheriff is looking at the video right now.
Just a matter of time. Then my hit and run friend you will hear a “Knock At The Door,.”
Anonymous says
I stop for all pedestrians and bikers all the time. There is no excuse not to. I see people running lights, stop signs and speeding all over. I h e also seen bikers in dark clothes at night with no bike lights or reflectors. I’ve seen a bike cross right in front of me when at red light and the do not cross was up and they darted right in front of me. Thank God I was stopped! Everybody needs to pay attention not just the drivers. It seems like no one gives a cheap. Where are our deputies? Rarely do I see them on patrol. If they would do there job and write more tickets and have more speeding traps, people would eventually slow down. It’s a free for all out there.
I/M/O says
Another child killed on a bicycle in Apoka today.
Oceanside says
Tragic ~ and to hit and run is horrible. Can’t help wondering if the cyclist had lights on his bike?
I see far too many cyclists riding on busy roads at night with no bike lights, wearing dark clothing, and sometimes not even with reflectors. Have nearly run into a few myself who were traveling in the middle of the road! Add that to no street lights in the area and it’s a recipe for disaster. Not sure how motorists can possibly see them.
Not all cycling accidents are necessarily the result of drunk or impatient motorists. I drive a car AND a bicycle–and you have to make yourself as visible as possible, especially on a bike. please, if you are cycling at night, for your own safety, use lights on the front and back. A headlamp doesn’t hurt either, and reflective clothing.
And before anyone tries to put words in my mouth–not blaming anyone here. Maybe the accident was unavoidable given the circumstances–but leaving the scene was not.
Bill harvey says
I live in the area of the accident and have seen the kids walk on the grass to the high school, shame on gov’t for providing no sidewalks and sufficient lighting population is growing faster than the infrastructure hey councilman in this area do something I am putting HD cameras up on my property within a month and will have one facing OldKings Rd and than I will send a copy of the recording of all the idiots that speed to city officials idiots with their loud exhaust systems they think that they are in the 500 race
Anonymous says
The city and law makers should be responsible for not having a safe area for those who ride bicycles to get to and from without competing with traffic and for passing a stupid law that endangers bicyclists by requiring them to ride the same direction as traffic.. The law needs to be change back to where a bicyclist rides against traffic rather than with traffic so they can see when something is going to hit them and give them a chance to get out of the way. This is terrible, and it is hoped that this is a lesson to others to NOT ride their bikes after dark–it just isn’t safe. How many tragedy’s have to occur before people start understanding this? The person who took a life and drove off should give a life. They should have tried to help. Shameful!!!!
Instigator says
F Section wrote: Everyone rolls through stop signs. Everyone cuts people off. Everyone fails to use signals. Everyone fails to provide adequate distances between vehicles. Everyone recklessly passes bikers instead of taking EXTRA precautions.
No, no we don’t. Idiots do what you suggest. May I add, “what part of keep right, pass left do we not understand.?”. Many people do. Some people do not. Certainly not everybody.
Shantalencia harris says
My brother is gone. Just pray for us. I just want the person to come forward.
Palm Coast tax payer says
This is a horrible tragedy to lose another youth in our town. His family and friends will be in our thoughts. As far as the sidewalk issue goes, we should put them in all of our neighborhoods. People in this town drive way too fast and do not pay attention to anyone else on the roads. We should also have more law enforcement around to ticket
Just sayin' says
Being from a family that came to Flagler County in 1947 and living here my whole life I have seen this waaay too much!
ITT developed this entire area all wrong. They had tons and I mean tons of acres of swampland, trucked in some low grade fill, threw in some cheap pine trees (roman candles) and started building homes on top of homes. What started as a quaint retirement golf community turned into chaos but greed got to them. Now what this city has left is poor development which isn’t being made any better. Putting this many homes into one tiny small square area with NO jobs and very poorly laid out road infrastructure is what is leading to this child’s death along with so many others. Palm Coast does everything bassackward. This city needs a long overdue overhaul!
Lack of Sidewalks + Bad roads + Pharm’d up Seniors = Many more innocent dying.
I/M/O says
Makes you wonder how a person who knows they killed a child sleeps at night.
Aren’t the nightmares getting to them yet?
Don’t they think about what they did every waking moment?
Don’t they go into a panic every time they see a Sheriff’s car?
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU DID! But then you already are.
“Paranoia Will Eventually Destroy ya!”
Gina says
THE CITY NEEDS TO PUT MONEY IN PLACES LIKE THIS TO SAVE LIVES ! IF A SIDE WALK WAS IN PLACE AS SO MANY HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING FOR YEARS, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED! THE PERSON WHO HURT THIS CHILD NEEDS PUNISHMENT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF LAW. LIFE IN PRISON!!!!!!!!!! This child rode by my home all the time with other children and I think it is terrible what has happened. THE CITY HERE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!
Concerned Citizen says
THIS IS FOR THE PERSON WHO HIT 16 yr old KELVIN SMITH. HE HAS A FAMILY. MOM, DAD, SISTERS AND BROTHERS PROBABLY. AUNTS, UNCLES COUSINS AND FRIENDS.
PLEASE COME FORTH AND REPORT YOURSELF TO THE POLICE. THIS WILL NOT BRING KELVIN BACK. BUT AT LEAST THE PARENTS WILL KNOW THAT THE PERSON IS GOING TO GET PUNISHED FOR THIS.
IT’S A HURTING PAIN THAT STAYS IN YOUR CHEST WHEN YOU LOSE A CHILD. I KNOW. I LOST MY CHILD IN A CAR ACCIDENT. AND IT STILL HURTS.. PLEASE PLEASE TURN YOURSELF IN.
I KNOW YOU ARE READING THE COMMENTS THAT ARE BEING WRITTEN. YOU ARE WATCHING THIS. PLEASE TURN YOURSELF IN.
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF IT WAS YOUR CHILD THAT WAS HIT AND THE DRIVER KEPT GOING AND LEFT YOUR CHILD SIDE THE ROAD TO DIE.
IT’S UNFAIR TO THIS FAMILY. THEY NEED TO KNOW.
MAYBE IT WAS AN ACCIDENT…IN ANY SENSE…THE FAMILY NEEDS YOU TO TURN YOURSELF IN TO THE POLICE..
I’M GOING TO PRAY THAT GOD DOES NOT LET YOU REST AND THAT YOU COME TO YOUR SENSES AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
THIS MAY EVEN BE A FAMILY THAT YOU KNOW…
PLEASE TURN YOURSELF IN….
DaveT says
Well Mrs New Mayor,. How about stepping outside of the new box and do something for this road. How many must die on one heck of a busy road. Lights and sidewalks would be a start. Forget Speed limits not going to help. .
brian says
another fine flagler county driver..yeehaw
don't bug me says
The politicians won’t fix a thing unless its getting a vote or a lawsuit. How hard is it to put in a temporary path until they four lane it or make potential builders put one in. Like the rest of youI’ve I’ve watched many people risk there lives in everyday travel on that road and I’m sure the decision makers have too.
Brad says
I was there I was about 2 minutes after the accident, the poor kid was all twisted up and not moving on the west side of the road. I am tired of reading about sidewalks and lighting. That area has a sidewalk and its really far from the road so even if there was poor lighting it wouldn’t have contributed to the accident. This road is to be widened to four lanes in the future so there are already improvements in the works. The kid should have been on the sidewalk and this wouldn’t have happend, I didn’t see any lights on the bike, he might still be around if he did. There was a skateboard at the seen so I not sure where that came from maybe in his backpack or being carried? Bottom line keep your kids off these highways they aren’t safe for slow moving vehicles, I’ve seen motorized wheelchairs on this exact location before almost getting hit.
Christina says
You are incorrect, the sidewalk ends at Frontier…no sidewalk beyond that point on either side.
SneakyPete says
They still haven’t caught the sack of shit that did this? Man, even bank robbers and purse snatchers get caught with a quickness. My condolences to the family.
jonsey says
There is also a lack of sidewalks along Cimmaron Dr. as well, and enough room to put in a little sidewalk.
IJS says
Ive tried to wrap my mind around this whole thing. How could it be that as busy as that road is, no one saw anything specific. I’m pretty sure they did. Has there been an update of the truck found in the church parking lot that was mentioned in the article? CRAZY!!!
But, we could help the family by donating to:
https://www.gofundme.com/homegoing-for-kelvin-smith-jr
Michael says
Thanks everyone that was my cousin more like my like big brother I really miss him a lot