Charges are pending against Melvin Adona, a 51-year-old Palm Coast resident, in the alleged hit-and-run collision with three pedestrians early Sunday that caused the death of two women and critically injured a Bunnell man on U.S. 1, just north of State Road 100.
FHP identified the victims who died as Jacqueline Martin, 50, and Georgette Fisher, 59, both of Palm Coast, and Philip McClure, 48, of Bunnell, who suffered incapacitating injuries.
Adona was at the wheel of a white 2022 Chevy Silverado, driving north with his wife on U.S. 1 a few minutes past midnight when the trio of pedestrians, crossing the road from west to east, was struck. Speed, authorities say, may be a factor.
Neither Adona nor his 49-year-old wife reported the crash to authorities, or render aid, as required by law, authorities say. The crash was witnessed by a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy who happened to be in the area, and who called in the incident by radio, telling dispatchers, according to 911 notes, that the white truck “took off.”
The deputy reported the crash at 16 minutes after midnight. Debris was everywhere, according to dispatch notes. It was almost immediately evident that one of the victims had died. Flagler County Fire Rescue’s Engine 62 got to the scene within minutes and conducted CPR on victims. One of the women was pronounced deceased at 22 minutes after midnight, the second was pronounced deceased at 26 minutes after midnight. The 48-year-old man was transported to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach.
At 28 minutes after midnight, Adona’s son showed up at the scene in an emotional state and spoke with a sheriff’s deputy. He told the deputy that his father was the driver of the pick-up truck and that his parents had been in a crash. While the deputy was speaking with him, Adona’s son got a call from his parents, according to 911 notes. He answered, put the phone on speaker, and let the deputy hear that his parents were in the Terranova parking lot, the pizzeria, at 208 North State Street, only a few dozen yards from the scene of the crash. Multiple sheriff’s units rushed there. Deputies detained Adona and his wife as the on-scene investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol began.
In other circumstances, if a driver–who is not speeding or impaired–strikes pedestrians crossing a road, then stops, reports the crash and renders aid, that driver would not be liable for charges. Rather, if the pedestrians survive, they would be charged with improperly crossing a roadway. Because of the different circumstances of Sunday’s crash, “it is being investigated as a criminal case,” FHP Lt. Tiffany Williams said today.
The pending charges would be against Adona, not his wife. While both were temporarily detained, Adona was not booked at the county jail. That’s usually the case in such crashes: authorities don’t want to start the clock on speedy trial or force investigators to rush through their steps. Adona volunteered a blood sample for a toxicology report, which may take weeks to yield results, among other investigatory steps. But leaving the scene of a crash with deaths is a felong that carries a mandatory minimum of four years in prison, per count.
Authorities secured surveillance video footage from Terranova.
The crash and subsequent investigation caused the closure of U.S. 1’s northbound lanes well into the morning hours.
Kt says
This is absolutely sad. It’s sad that these people died and it’s very odd that the man driving did not stop at all to help or call 911. I feel he doesn’t care. Why wouldn’t he help or call 911, after hitting people on the road? He should be punished because he didn’t care enough to turn around to check on them at least. People drive badly here and I’m always riding my bike and see people speeding on US1 all the time and there never seems to be consequences for these people.
Skibum says
I feel terrible for the hit and run victims and their loved ones. It is baffling to me why any supposedly sane and coherent driver would intentionally flee the scene after striking pedestrians trying to cross the street. Since this driver had the presence of mind to use his cell phone and call his son to tell him what had happened, surely he should have been decent enough to let law enforcement know that he had just made a horrible error in judgement and owned up to hitting the three people in the street. But no, he still did not do the right thing, and it is thanks to his son’s ethical compass that his father will now be held accountable for committing such a serious and unthinkable crime.
And I would also like to point out something else regarding this very serious crime. Since it happened, very sketchy, undetailed and brief accounts of this hit and run have been reported on a number of TV news channels and online news sites, none of which has given such specific and informed reports of the circumstances showing exactly what occurred and how law enforcement found the driver of the truck that hit the three pedestrians. I would like to give a HUGE thank you to Pierre for completely outdoing the much larger news outlets and journalists who have done what is, in my humble opinion, an extremely poor job compared to FlaglerLive in getting the complete story so we have a much better understanding of what actually happened on that fateful night.
Concerned Citizen says
I am sorry lives were lost in a needless accident.
Everyone needs to slow down. And be mindful of their surroundings. I don’t know what it is lately but I see so much anger and impatience on the road these days. Coupled with distracted driving for whatever reason. Everyone is always in a hurry to get nowhere. And there is always someone that just has to be first.
Now two are dead. And a third critically injured. And for what? That area is congested. And I see folks crossing US1 all the time. Unless you are responding to an emergency yourself, there is nothing that warrants you hauling ass everywhere you go.
I have said it many times before. Respect goes a long way in keeping our roads safe. And change starts with us. We need to do better. And please start stopping at accidents. Leaving isn’t an option.
MissM says
So tragic. I’ve known Georgette and her family for over 10 yrs. They’ve had a rough few years as of late. She lost her husband last year. My prayers go out to her sons Jack & Jesse. ❤️
FlaglerLive says
Thank you for this. We’d been asked repeatedly over the past 36 hours why we hadn’t reported the incident: it took a while on this one to gather the necessary information.
TR says
I agree but would like to mention this happened a few minutes after midnight, it wasn’t congested at all.
I would like to know why a picture of the crossroad bar is in this article? It applies that the three people crossing US-1 from west to east came out of the bar. I’m just thinking that the picture could have been taken from in front of the bar facing east, which is the same direction the three people were crossing. Just a thought.
TREEMAN says
US 1 (State Road) has become a “RACE TRACK” in Bunnell! Sadly, women have been KILLED! Prayers and Support from their Family and Friends!
Robert Joseph Fortier says
My wife and I are extremely saddened by a terrible loss of two wonderful people. Just getting out of work an intending to relax and with friends. But a drunk self-centered person ended their lives, then decided not to come forward.
I have to give so much credit to the son who was decent enough to contact a Deputy on site and provide the info that was needed to put the killer away.
CC says
So sad. I think it is also important to note here that he was driving a Silverado. I just read an article recently discussing how vehicles with higher front ends and blunt profiles are 45% more likely to cause fatalities in crashes with pedestrians than smaller cars and trucks. Often visibility is a factor with these vehicles as well and then coupled with speed make these combinations a recipe for disaster. My parents have a Silverado and my mom is very short and hates driving it because she says she cant see out of it very well.
Robert Joseph Fortier says
My wife and I are extremely saddened by a terrible loss of two wonderful people. Just getting out of work an intending to relax and with friends. But a drunk self-centered person ended their lives, then decided not to come forward.
I have to give so much credit to the son who was decent enough to contact a Deputy on site and provide the info that was needed to put the killer away.
Skibum says
CC, you are correct that the newer trucks are getting higher and higher, and safety advocates have been sounding the alarm that these trucks pose a significant risk to mainly children or shorter people walking in front of one of them because the driver of one of these vehicles may not be able to see over the hood of the truck to notice there is someone in front of the truck’s grill. But that played no part in this particular incident. These three pedestrians should have been seen by that truck’s driver way before he got right up to them where the truck’s hood potentially blocking them from view would have been an issue, or a defense to hitting them. The truck’s driver had a responsibility to look ahead of him in the roadway, and that area of U.S. 1 just north of the intersection with a traffic light is lit up at night due to nearby streetlights. Unless the pedestrians were all wearing dark clothing and/or running across that street and didn’t offer enough of a warning to the truck driver, I don’t see how he missed seeing them unless he was either distracted and not paying attention to the roadway in front of him, or speeding. The original article mentioned the possibility of speed being a factor, but there was no mention of the driver being impaired. But I do not believe the height of the truck’s hood played a part in why the pedestrians were hit. And it is anyone’s guess why the driver then kept his foot on the gas and fled after being fully aware that he had struck multiple people crossing the street.
MeToo says
I wondered the same thing. Media=drama…except Pierre. Thank you Pierre.
Robert Joseph Fortier says
The people were crossing from east to west, from the gas station towards the west .
Robert Joseph Fortier says
All of the victims died in the end. Lost some really good people, friends.
TR says
Try reading the 2nd paragraph of the article again. They were crossing west to east.
TR says
I didn’t read where it stated that all of the three victims have passed away. The two woman died at the seine and the gentleman was transported to Halifax in Daytona. If you know for a fact that the guy died then maybe FlaglerLive can try and find out and do an update to the story.
Mary C says
The guy wasn’t impaired/visibly drunk. They let him go at the scene. Everyone keeps saying a drunk driver hit them. Not yet. Waiting for toxicology. He was determined to be speeding based on the impact.
The bar was shown prob because everyone walking out of there is wasted. Were the victims leaving there or going there?
RIP Georgette & Jackie
Beyond Disgusted #JusticeforJacqui says
How about how no one has mentioned ANYTHING in the last 3 weeks. FHP will not return the children’s phone calls, meanwhile, they have buried their mother, my friend. The financial burden on the children let alone the mental – can’t get life insurance coverage because still under investigation, can’t go after HIS insurance because it’s still under investigation and this man and his wife are doing whatever they are doing why the rest of us are questioning why it even happened. 3 people – 2 dead – 1 still in the hospital.
Where is the outrage and compassion for the loss of innocent lives in our county.
I am completely disgusted that his has been dropped and not one single word since the names were released!!!!
SMH.
Lisa Morrone says
FlaglerLive–
and yet here we are 3 months later and NOTHING. No justice for the family, friends and the county.
Why is this so hush hush?? why are there NO answers, NO arrests, NO updates from FHP ?
This completely BAFFLES my mind and many of Flagler Counties circle. Both females were well known in the county and are missed everyday.
Just swept under the rug like 2 people didnt lose their lives and another is struggling everyday to carry on.
So sad !!!!
FlaglerLive says
It’s not unusual for FHP to take several months before filing charges in traffic homicides. It has to have its entire investigation completed before the arrest, so as not to start the speedy-trial clock before it’s ready. Nothing to do with hushing anything up, and FHP does not update investigations as long as they’re ongoing.