Maura Nations, 26, a resident of Orlando, was on the shore in Flagler Beach with her dog Saturday afternoon, in the area of South 15th Street, when her dog darted up the wooden stairs toward State Road A1A.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Nations was walking along the road going north when the dog crossed A1A. Charles Esbaugh, 65, of Palatka, was driving north in his 2006 Chevy at that very moment. The dog crossed the car’s path. Esbaugh swerved to avoid it–and struck Nations.
Nations was taken to Halifax Hospital by ambulance, in critical condition.
Ed says
NO WAY would I BEGIN to risk my life for a dog. It’s only a dog!
A Long-time FB Resident says
Read the article again… SHE did not “risk her life for a dog”; the DRIVER swerved to avoid hitting the dog and the lady who was OFF THE ROAD, along side the right-a-way. Do you suggest that there be NO PEDESTRIANS along side A1A?
It’s only a CARELESS driver…
Robin says
Dogs are supposed to be on leashes, not running free. I hope the owner makes a full recovery, and I hope the dog and the driver are both okay.
DieselFitter says
NEVER swerve to avoid hitting an animal– the odds of a successful maneuver are against you/driver:
Hit the brakes. I hope everyone recovers from this tragedy!
BTW- how’s the dog?
Ed says
A careless driver? She (Nations) made a conscious decision to “play frogger”. It was her dog. She was NOT an “innocent pedestrian” as you suggest but a case who thinks a dog is worth risking hers and other people lives for. What would be your take had the driver tried to swerve and mowed down innocent people? Aagain, it’s ONLY A DOG! BTW. the ONLY thing I will swerve for is a human. Everything else better hope my brakes hold up.