Deep in the National Archives and the files of the Department of Defense, there’s a 2018 picture of Spc. Keon Sands at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. He’s working on a laptop at a desk, a big smile on his face.
Sands, the Army-issued caption reads, is “a financial management technician with 2153rd Financial Management Support Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division Resolute Support Brigade.” In the picture, Sands is helping Lt. Col. Martin O’Donnell, the officer in charge of the Resolute Support public affairs office, setting up his savings deposit program at Resolute HQ.
“The finance team is able to assist U.S. military personnel and vendors from various bases with financial questions and issues. During their deployment, Sands and his team expect to visit 15 different locations to serve personnel.” The picture, taken by Sgt. Elizabeth White, was snapped on May 13, 2018.
Keon Clyde Sands, 27, was killed moments after 11 p.m. Tuesday night as he was riding his motorcycle north on I-95, in a collision with a semi truck near mile marker 296, just south of Old Kings Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash, “the semi and the motorcycle made contact,” throwing Sands off his motorcycle. Sands was then run over several times, according to witnesses who contacted 911. The truck was not identified. It continued traveling north.
An emergency helicopter was placed on standby, but was not used. Sands was pronounced deceased less than 15 minutes after the collision as paramedics, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and firefighters reached the scene.
I-95’s northbound lanes were shut down and traffic diverted at exit 293 until 4:30 this morning.
Sands, a motorcycle enthusiast, used an orange and blue Suzuki as part of his Facebook profile and featured it repeatedly. Sands’s girlfriend drove up to the scene after losing contact with him, and locating his last contact in the area of the crash. She reported to authorities that he was from Palm Coast. FHP reports Sands as being from Ormond Beach, where he’d lived near the I-95 intersection with U.S. 1.
Sands’s was the eighth fatality of the year on Flagler County roads, the first since October 5, when another motorcyclist, Jim Egan–who had been a school bus driver–was killed on Belle Terre Parkway.
Pete Di Giulio says
R.I.P Brother Rider.Prayers sent to Family& Friends.Ride your way too Heaven& watch out for us still riding here God Bless You are in The Lords Arms.
Vicki says
So sad, I know his brother. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family confirm that this time I’m moving forward🙏🙏🙏
MeToo says
R.I.P. Sir and thank you for my freedom.
Condolences to your family. So very sad.
OnlyMe says
So very sorry to read this RIP and thank you for serving our country.
JustBeNice says
Prayers for strength and comfort for this young man’s family.
nomorepitbulls says
WAY too Young!! RIP
Mike says
An absolutely incredible Soldier and teammate – May God comfort his family and friends. The Nation and State has lost a genuinely good man – something that seems in such short supply. Rest easy my friend – til Valhalla!
Jane Gentile-Youd says
How very sad that someone so young and so full of life gone forever. May he rest in peace for eternity.
Joan says
Heartbreaking. What a loss. Prayers for his family and girlfriend. I also pray that trucker confesses. He or she may have made a mistake but there must be knowledge that a tragedy occurred.
A.j says
Semi kept going. What a shame. The fact the victim was ran over many times bothers me. May GOD give his family strength, especially his mother.
Karen Bivone says
RIP – prayers to his family and friends.
DeRicko Gaither says
My Brother In Arms… I Still Can’t Believe This Man, You Were Truly A Blessed Person That Was So Full Of Life And Passion! May You Rest In Paradise King And I Pray For Your Family Peace And I Will See You Again Brother! Love You My Bro And It WAS AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU!
ASF says
My sincere condolences to his friends and family. May his memory be a blessing.
G A says
I am so sorry for all that loved this man. What a horrible Thanksgiving this will be for them. And what kind of Thanksgiving will the hit and run Semi driver have? Eventually, we all have to face consequences, in this life or the next.
SFC Graham says
Going to miss this soldier. He was someone who motivated others and always kept a positive outlook. Gone way too soon. his memory needs to be honored and his family comforted.
Beverly Wilson says
RIP👑💐😥
Angello A Cruz says
I am so sorry for your family loosing you… may you rest in peace and your family finds comfort…
DeOsha says
RIP to my fellow classmates C/O13 you will truly be missed by many you had a smile that could light up the room an bring joy and laughter to anyone
Debbie Prior says
So sorry Brandon and Martha my heart is breaking for you and your family. Keeping you all close in my thoughts and Prayers.
Sherry says
My heart sincerely breaks to read about such a tragedy, and my sympathy most certainly goes out to the loved ones he left behind.
I am very, very troubled though. . . I’m very concerned that no one has spoken out against the truck driver that did not even bother to STOP. . . perhaps a life could have been saved. Have we become so numb to such terrible acts that all we have is prayers for the victims and no call for justice? These are indeed terrible times! Our civilization is being killed by a thousand cuts.
Tj miller says
There’s a good chance he never felt the bike hit his trailer. If it doesn’t go under our tires we’re not gonna know a motorcycle ran into us
M says
I’m finding this now. There are no words. He was kind, caring, loving, head on straight, doing the right things, loved his family & now…he is gone. I never got a chance to meet his family, I’ve heard such wonderful things. I know he is okay because his mom & grandma is with him. I’m so sorry Alexus.
My condolences to the family.
To the driver. God saw you.