Last Updated: March 14, 5 p.m.
Jeffery Lynn Coffman may not have been found for several hours had it not been for passersby noticing unusual debris in the road on U.S. 1, just south of Belle Terre Boulevard–a deadly stretch of road known as the Triple-A Curve, and also as Dead Man’s Corner.
The passers-by stopped to investigate, and found a man next to a crashed motorcycle in the brush on the west side of the highway. Coffman “would have probably been found the next day in the daylight but there was a lot of debris in the road but people stopped and found him in the ditch,” Pete Young, the Florida Highway Patrol homicide investigator on the case, said.
Young estimates the crash took place at 9:30 p.m. Saturday as Coffman, 59, was riding his brand new, black Harley Davidson south, probably to a Bike Week event. He crashed the way Young has seen numerous riders and drivers crash at the same spot over the years: Coffman failed to negotiate the curve there, overturning several times and getting ejected before he came to rest past the shoulder. He was not wearing a helmet. He was a resident of Clermont Court in Palm Coast. (911 notes place the address at 34 Clarden Court.)
Coffman had been a U.S. Marine.
There’s been so many crashes at that spot that Young was having to return to the scene this morning to more precisely determine at what point exactly the motorcycle left the road. “There’s so many marks there where so many people left the road and scraped the road,” the investigator said.
“Apparently he was by himself but they were searching Tennessee and all over for next of kin,” Young said. Coffman was found with a loaded 380 Smith and Wesson firearm in his pocket. The weapon was turned over to the sheriff’s office.
The curve, which continues to be the scene of fatal crashes, is about four-tenth of a mile south of the U.S. 1 intersection with Belle Terre Boulevard. The stretch of road is known as the “Triple-A Curve” after an AAA service station-juke joint that used to be there years ago, when it was once operated by Mildred Close Nyland and Charles Mellford “Chick” Miller.
The Palm Coast Fire Police, which initially shut down U.S. 1 South, diverted traffic onto Belle Terre, then opened one lane, before traffic resumed unimpeded after midnight.
On March 14, notes obtained from Flagler County’s 911 dispatch center paint a somewhat different sequence of events about the wreck: at 9:39 p.m., the 911 center got a call from either a driver or a passenger in a “truck and trailer” who wasn’t sure whether or not her truck had struck Coffman and his motorcycle. She reported to the 911 center that the motorcycle was “all over the median,” and that the victim was in the median (and that she refused to get out to check on the victim). She told the 911 dispatcher that blood was coming out of the victim’s ears, which is to say that Coffman was not out of view. A telephone pole had also been struck and had fallen. Coffman was pronounced dead at 9:44 p.m.
On November 30, Coffman had posted on his Facebook page: “Just finished, washing and waxing the big 107c.i. slightly raked, 100 hrspwr, brand new Harley Davidson Road Guild that we tried selling to ole slim here. Anybody remember that movie ‘Poker Run’ with Ray and Billie.”
Days later he reposted an item on his Facebook page from a motorcycle-safety site that included the video of a horrific crash involving a car violating the right-of-way of a motorcycle, and a caption: “Always try to be aware of your surroundings!”
Bike Week in Daytona Beach began on Friday and is to run through next Sunday. Coffman was the first fatality on Flagler roads associated with this year’s Bike Week, though on Thursday evening a 30-year-old motorcyclist was critically injured on Palm Coast’s Rymfire Drive.
brian says
RIP..
Ol' Sarge says
Thanks for your attention…keep up the good work!
Sw says
RIP
USA Lover says
Heartbreaking. RIP sir.
Tina Wolk says
What a tragic thing to wake up to today. I had just seen him a couple hours before the accident. Texted him all night with no reply….obviously. Passed the accident myself but dudnt realize it was him. Jeff was my fiancee. A wonderful man who do anything for anyone. He is fom Virginia not Tennessee.
The Geode says
We need to put a red light on that curve…
Saddened says
May he RIP. So saddened to hear about this man.
Anonymous says
Why do these bikers insist on not wearing a helmet? It could of saved his life. Rest in peace. Enjoy the ride to heaven brother.
Ken McDowell says
Jeff was my next door neighbor. A good man, a good Marine and my friend. I am deeply saddened. Rest in peace, Gunny!!
Georgia Young says
Rest In Peace, Jeff. So sad to hear this. You have been a good neighbor.
Rose Drew says
So sorry for your loss! He was doing something he loved most bikers enjoy the freedom of ride..just so sorry it is his last ..please share with others the unsafe road area!! Tell the city to post Neon lights slow down bikers
Jessie MacVittie (coffman) says
Still very shook up about the news. Dad was a great man even we had our differences and didnt always see eye to eye, he was still my dad. He loved singing karaoke and riding his motorcycle , going to bike week, and living free..he loved lynard skynard and bob seger all of the great legends in there time. I hate receiving the news it all seemed like a nightmare but he died doing what he loved. We had alot of great memories with the time we did have together. I was always so proud to call him my dad you know the gunny, the gunny whod always wake up in the morninga yelling ooorah..flexing in the mirrors or the soft hearted who woukd take us to the safar zoo and ride in the back od the truck feeding the aninalsi in lexington or the perry wv wildlife zoo that he was taken too when he was a kid. Im trying to be strong and im trying to get through this, dad you left me way too soon. But I love you very much ..love always your little girl♡
Peter says
I just goggled your Dad’s name and I am so sorry to find out he passed away, He was my Recuiter in Oct 1988 and I can not put into words what to say SEMPER FI.
Dan Hartford says
So very sorry to hear of your Dads passing. Someone just sent it to me so I am just finding out after 5 years. I was on Marine Recruiters duty with him in Beverly Massachusetts in 1988 or 89. He was a great Marine and well respected. RiP.
Jim Robbins says
Such a tragedy. He was my Drill Instructor at Parris Island in 1981. Gone way to soon. RIP BROTHER SEMPER FI
Ken McDowell says
Jessie, could you please get in touch with me ASAP. I am your Dad’s next door neighbor and would like to speak with someone from your family. Please look me up on Facebook and PM me. I would like to help the family if needed. I’m so sorry. He was a good friend and good neighbor and gone way too soon.
Jim Robbins says
Deeply Saddened by the update information. Jessie, I only knew your dad as my Drill Instructor and as a Brother in the Marine Corps. If there is anything I can do to help let me no. We are Marines and We take care of our Own.
Amanda Cook says
We just talk to Jeff Friday about riding bikes this summer. Can’t believe u gone to soon we going to miss u Arthur keep saysing who I’m I going to talk at nights driving up the road my best friend is gone. Buddy keep doing what u love riding ur Harley we see u in the other side.tour friends Amanda Hannah and Arthur cook
Cimone. Sadler says
I just wanted to say this is so sad I just spoke to him on Friday and we were suppose to get together on the 26th to go see Apollo. He was trying to get his life back together after all he went through. He was a great man with lot’s of problems. He was truly loved. We were together for 6 years and he told me he was going to go see his mom in Virginia which I found out today that has also passed away on Saturday…Jeff you will be missed. We all I’ve you and at least your pain is over, and you are truly riding with the angels now….love you sweetheart…
Sheri says
So sad to hear of Jeff’s accident and his passing. We worked for the same company for a few years and he was definitely one of my favorite drivers at Houff Transfer, Inc.
Jessie, prayers for you and your family.
RIP Jeff.
Mace says
Correction he is a Marine! Semper Fi, RIP1
Jim Robbins says
Does anyone have any information on the funeral services
Debbie says
RIP Marine. Semper Fi brother.
Tina Wolk says
He us being cremated and taken back to Virginia with his brother. I am gaving a celebration of life for him in a couple weeks.
Cimone Sadler says
I will miss you my love, I made sure we will ALWAYS be together, R.I.P my love, we will be together again soon. I will love you forever baby.