Authorities are searching for a driver responsible for a hit-and-run collision on Palm Coast Parkway that left 17-year-old bicyclist Kyle Forgie of Palm Coast in critical condition Thursday evening.
Forgie was riding east on Palm Coast Parkway on a Redline bicycle just after 6 p.m. when he crossed the northbound entrance ramp to I-95. Forgie was in the marked crosswalk when a blue Dodge pickup truck or SUV struck him, and fled the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The hit and run vehicle was traveling in the westbound lanes of the parkway when it entered the ramp to I-95. Forgie was evacuated by Flagler County Fire Flight to Halifax hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, the highway patrol says.
“Any information that the public may have regarding this incident is crucial to this criminal investigation,” the highway patrol states in a release issued late Thursday. “All leads and any information will be greatly appreciated.” Anyone with a lead is asked to contact Cpl. Pete G. Young at the Florida Highway Patrol in Troop G, at (904) 359-6572 or (904) 693-5071.
Shark says
Check to see where Fischer was yesterday!!!!
Deep South says
Motorist don’t realize that when a bicyclist or pedestrian are in the crosswalk they have the right of way, as long as they are crossing with the flow of traffic. Please recover soon young man.
Whodat says
Seems to be the new norm in Florida – Hit and Run.
some guy says
how sad i pray he gets well. I also hope they catch the one who turned an accident into a crime.
blondee says
I’ve always wondered why they had a crosswalk in the middle of an interstate on-ramp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What Einstein came up with this idea?
Mary says
There is no other way across the 95 bridge than to cross the ramp. That is a scary spot for a cyclist. But you have a good long view of the cars coming at you and can’t take a chance because the cars going onto the ramp are really flying. Too many motorists here ignore the rights of cyclists and pedestrians. Like with the right hand turns into a Walk light.
Anonymous says
probably the same one that came up with the red light cameras!
daveytickle says
@ Mary and Anonymous: Really? Are you people implying that only motor vehicles should be allowed on any public right-of-way? Really?
What do you recommend that the handicapped do to get from one point to another? (I’m referring to those both physically AND financially unable to afford *wheels* both public or private).
And of all things-THIS time of year?
God bless the boy and his family at this horrible time of crisis.
Every morning while I head to work IN THE DARK I see walkers, runners, cyclists and what-not on that dark portion on my right. I always tell myself that if I hit ANYTHING I will panic-stop and run back to see what I just hit! I don’t think that I could live with myself if It was a life that I could have saved by stopping and rendering any aid that I possibly could. Seriously!
Hang in there, Kyle. And hang tight, family! HUGS!
Shell says
While bicycles are allowed on sidewalks, and riders are subject to the same rights and duties as pedestrians when they ride there, it is my experience that far too many of both consider “have the right of way when in a crosswalk” to mean “If I enter the crosswalk before a car gets to it, regardless of how close it is or how fast it’s going, the car has to stop and let me cross”. I’ve nearly hit several of each type because of that attitude, and a couple at that very intersection. What I cannot fathom is why people will insist on it when they are going to lose, badly, any such dispute that ends in contact between them and a car. This is not to excuse drivers who insist on the right of way when the pedestrian or bicyclist is in the right, but to point out that in my experience it is most often the pedestrian or bicyclist who is in the wrong when there *is* contact.
Safety guy says
Tell you what, if I rode a bike in this town at the slightest hint of dark I would have a pole affixed to my bike with a white strobe light attached to the top with red lights blinking up and down the pole. I would be dressed in construction worker yellow and orange “Glow bright when hit with light” stripes. At 5:30 P.M. I turn on my Christmas lights because it is dark outside. This happened at about 6 P.M. I sure hope this 17 year old recovers fully. I also hope we find the gutless pig that left him for dead and he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and be held with zero bail.
daveytickle says
oops!
My comment was supposed to be directed at blondee and Anonymous-not Mary. I apologize, Mary. :(
Prayers says
The following is the link to a Facebook page the family has set-up for updates and donations:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/KyleForgiesRoadToRecovery
Lyn says
Sorry for the baby will pray for him just put a camera there like the rest of this town
MHS Band of Pirates says
The Matanzas High School Band of Pirates is proud to have Kyle and his sister Kenzie, as members of our family. The Forgie family has been in our thoughts and prayers since Kyle was injured, but we have wanted to do something more. What could we do to help? We are musicians, so we will make music.
Please join us at the Matanzas High School Pirate Theater on Friday, February 15th at 7pm for a concert from which ALL proceeds will benefit the Forgie family. There will be a variety of musical styles represented, including a special appearance by Pryor Knowledge featuring Matanzas Principal Dr. Chris Pryor.
http://www.facebook.com/KyleForgieBenefitConcert