Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols this afternoon sentenced 22-year-old Nicholas Tyler McLean to three years in prison followed by 12 years on probation for the drunk-driving death of motorcyclist Robert Clark during Bike Week last year on Belle Terre Boulevard. Clark, a Palm Coast resident, was 70.
McLean was at the wheel of his pick-up truck and had three passengers as they drove south on Belle Terre Boulevard. Clark was riding north. McLean made a left turn onto Fin Way, violating Clark’s right-of-way. Clark crashed his Harley-Davidson into the right side of the pick-up truck.
McLean and other members of the National Guard had gone to Houligan’s in Palm Coast and were returning to the armory off Fin Way. The crash took place at 10:55 p.m. on March 8, 2025. Robert Clark was pronounced deceased less than an hour later at a hospital.
McLean had pulled over and cooperated with law enforcement. His face had been flushed, his eyes glossy and the smell of alcohol emanated from him as he addressed a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. His legs were shaking.
He conducted some of the field-sobriety exercises at the scene and agreed to a blood draw and a recorded interview. He told an investigator that he’d spent four to five hours at the restaurant, consuming two beers before going to Cue Note, the pool hall at City Marketplace where he said he had one beer. His blood-alcohol content was 0.108 and 0.108 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, according to FHP. The legal limit is 0.08.
He’d seen headlights in the distance as he was driving down Belle Terre Boulevard and thought he had enough time to turn. “As he was turning, he saw a headlight shift in front of the vehicle and realized it was [a] motorcycle, but it was too late to avoid a collision,” his arrest report stated. “He said the motorcycle’s headlight blended in [with] the headlights of the car behind it and he did not see the motorcycle at the time.”
McLean, who was represented by defense attorney Lewis Lockett, faced a second degree felony charge of DUI manslaughter punishable by a maximum of 15 years. He pleaded today and was immediately sentenced. Among the conditions of the plea are 50 hours of community service and the permanent revocation of his driver’s license. He was also fined $1,000. He is eligible for early termination of his probation at the halfway mark if he complies with probation’s conditions. He lives in Sumter County, where he would serve his probation after prison, where he will also be eligible for gain time, or early release after serving 85 percent of his sentence.
“I would say this is a fair resolution in the case, and your attorney did a good job,” the judge told him.
Clark, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which he attended on an athletic scholarship, headed a gymnastics program at the YMCA before becoming the chief financial officer of his brother’s company, Durham, N.C.-based Xenobiotics Detection Systems. “Whether soaring through the air in competition, riding his motorcycle down the open road, sharing stories that filled the room with laughter, or scaling water towers on a dare, Rob embraced life fearlessly,” his obituary read.
Clark was one of eight motorcyclists killed on Flagler County roads last year.
Atwp says
Just three years for killing somebody. A young black guy killed a white guy 33 years. Totally different circumstances but the end result ie somebody died. Different amount of time in prison. Is because of skin color I don’t know but I believe it is. Whits murder less time in prison blacks murder more time in prison.
Pat Stote says
I wish with all my heart you could stop with the racist remarks.
This was a very sad story.
You don’t need to jump in on every
story.
Robjr says
Yes she does show bias when giving out sentences.
Supportive military fam says
.02 over the limit shouldn’t have warranted anything. Maybe they should publish the blood alcohol level of the motorcyclist….
He’s one of our soldiers who had 3 beers over 5 hrs.
Gary says
Seriously? What if YOUR loved one killed by someone who had just x amount of alcohol over x amount of hours? If they were in the military, forgiven. If not, throw the book at ‘em? Yeah, I know your type even behind a keyboard.
He killed someone and got off easy. Period. IDGAF if he is military or not. I’m so damn tired of people breaking the law and others making excuses.
Benjamin says
To support the decision Nicholas made that night that took Robert’s life and attempt to shift the blame to the victim is reprehensible and you be ashamed of yourself. By all means, please support Nicholas in his journey ahead, he is going to need it. I know it was not his intention to take my father-in-law’s life that night, but his actions do have consequences. My question to you is, does Robert’s surviving family not deserve your support? His son and daughter who no longer have a father? His grandson who will never have the joy of knowing his grandfather? Or is the only thing they get a comment saying that their loss shouldn’t have warranted any disciplinary action because of .02%? Do your feelings change when I tell you that I am active-duty military and have been for over 20 years?
Atwp says
Pat the story is sad. Are my comments racist? Are my comments speaking the truth? I have a right to jump on every story I want to, you and nobody can stop me. The last statement sound like something white folks love to tell people of color.
Gary says
Speak your truth, man. You know if this man wasn’t white he’d be serving longer time, IF he was even alive to go to trial. There IS a double standard and some of us see it and know the privilege afforded to us unfairly because we’re white.
Zach says
I don’t get why anyone should feel sorry for the young man in this case.
He knew was driving yea choose to consume alcoholic beverages through the night which is unacceptable if you’re driving and an innocent man died because of that.
As it stands, he got a sentence below the mandatory minimum of four years in prison for DUI manslaughter.
If he behaves himself in prison, he will be out in late 2028 and while he will have some struggles in finding a new job with a felony conviction, not being able to drive and being on probation for 12 years, that is the consequences of his own actions.
The victim’s family will be dealing with the loss of a father and grandfather forever.
They are the ones who deserve the sympathy here, not a DUI killer.