Last Updated: Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
A man and a woman were thrown from their motorcycle and injured on U.S. 1 after being clipped by an SUV in Bunnell this afternoon. The woman was severely injured and air-lifted out, the man was taken to a local hospital with lesser injuries.
Both were said by an investigator at the scene that they were expected to survive, though by the time the Florida Highway Patrol issued a release on the crash late Friday, both were listed in critical condition: William R. Westervelt, 53, of Bunnell, who had been driving the motorcycle, and Kimberly Dawn Boyer, 48, of Palm Coast.
The crash took place minutes before 5:30 p.m. in the southbound lanes of U.S. 1 at the south entrance to the Atlantis shopping center in Bunnell.
Tyler P.C. Anderson, 25, was driving back from a new job in Port Orange at the wheel of his 2002 Chevy Tahoe SUV. He was returning to the Atlantis center to pick up a paycheck from a previous job.
A Florida Highway Patrol investigator at the scene said Anderson had begun the turn left to go onto the center. There was a vehicle in the left lane making a U-turn, and a semi was driving south. As soon as the semi cleared, Anderson drove ahead across U.S. 1. He had not seen the victims on their motorcycle immediately behind the semi.
Anderson’s Chevy clipped the motorcycle, sending it sough a few dozen feet, and knocking its victims off the bike, which came to rest on its right side.
Boyer is likely to lose a leg that was severely inured, the trooper said, and was air-lifted to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach by Flagler County Fire Flight, which landed on U.S. 1. Westervelt was transported by ground to Florida Hospital Flagler. The SUV sustained light damage to its front-left. Anderson remained at the scene after the crash was cleared, cooperating with authorities. The FHP trooper said he violated the motorcyclists’ right-of-way, resulting in a citation.
Bunnell police and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office initially responded, as did Flagler County Fire Rescue and the Palm Coast Fire Police, and of course FHP, which was simultaneously working two crash scenes on U.S. 1. There was another at Whiteview Parkway: it was a similar crash–a BMW against a motorcyclist, involving one victim on the motorcycle (the woman driving the BMW was not hurt). The victim was taken to Halifax by ground.
The Atlantis scene had been cleared by 6:30 p.m., the scene at Whiteview by 7 p.m.
Biker 2 says
.. PLEASE look twice for motorcycles!!
Rick Kang says
Beware! Bikers are every where, so slow down and look for them! Both accidents should NOT have happen if the SUV and BMW drivers were looking for motorcycles!
Anonymous says
We are friends with the 2 people involved in this crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with them today.
Trailer Bob says
Life is precious, so please drive calmly and look three times before pulling out in traffic. Peoples lives matter…If you cannot concentrate on what is going on when you are driving, this may happen to you as well.
Concerned Citizen says
I hope everyone involved will recover from their injuries.
Everyone needs to be considerate of each other on the road. Regardless of what you drive. Time and time again we are told look twice for motorcycles. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen motorcycles end up being the cause of an accident or just driving reckless.
Safe driving begins with everyone behind the wheel or behind handle bars. If we all took the time to change our driving habits we might be seeing less stories like this.
nomorepitbulls says
Its not enough to ask people to look twice for motorcycles.
Todays world is filled with arrogant selfish tailgating speeding drivers who are also texting at the same time.
Throw in constant road construction, glare from the sun, etc – and it is really dangerous to drive any sort of vehicle.
I have a Harley…but cant tell you how many times when Im in my truck I see things and say “man if I was on my bike and that happened that would NOT be good”.
Its unfortunate but every time you ride you are risking your life because of the amazingly dangerous drivers out there.
The poor woman is going to lose a leg. I hope they recover quickly.
Jenn says
We need to look three times regardless for a motorcycle or another car many prayers going out to both of them for a speedy recovery.
Jen says
Does anyone know an update on the rider involved in the Whiteview accident? My boyfriend stopped to help and we hope he is ok. Thanks
Chris A Pickett says
Hopefully all will recover as best as possible. Most of these accidents are caused by, people who are in too much of a hurry, and sometimes cell phone/distracted driving. Cell phones should be made so that the only thing they can do inside a car is emergency 911. You phone and it’s messages just aren’t that important, if they can’t wait until you get to your destination, you probably shouldn’t be driving.
john Dolan says
Another violation of the Boulevard Rule. You must WAIT! for the traffic that has the RIGHT OF WAY. This does not mean squeezing your vehicle into oncoming traffic and hoping for the best.
Cybercrime says
Maybe the motorcycle was traveling to close to the vehicle in front of it. Lots of motorcycle riders like to tailgate for some reason.
Anonymous says
I was there and witness the crash my wife called 911 and my mother and I. stopped to help the victims. I was in front of the motorcycle between the semi. The young man just made a mistake and tried to cross traffic instead of waiting for a safe clearing my heart and prayers go out to all who were effected by this horrible accident. Look twice for motorcycles. And motorcyclist please were a helmet if carrying a passenger. God bless
Kyle says
Jen – do you have any additional information regarding the Whiteview accident? He is one of my best friends, and is in stable condition, but it will be a couple days before we know the extent of his head injuries. The most we’ve been able to gather is that it seems the woman in the BMW pulled out in front of him. Any additional information you can provide regarding the accident would be extremely helpful. Thanks to you and your boyfriend for stopping to help him.
Jenn says
Motorcyclist can be very careless. I’ve seen this way to often.
Bill says
They have a burn unit at many hospitals just ready to handle biker burns. Of course, don’t admit bikes are dangerous, just double down and don’t wear a helmet.
BLM(biker-lives-matter) says
See it everyday people can’t wait 2 more seconds to pull out even if there isn’t another vehicle miles behind.
Jen says
Kyle- I don’t have any more info unfortunately. My boyfriend was in a separate vehicle and told me to turn around. We ride and he has been in a similar situation but much milder. He said people were just standing around so he held him to keep him from moving around and injuring himself any further. He was trying to keep him awake also. He left after the EMS crew arrived. We hope that he will be ok.
Kyle says
Jen – huge thank you to your boyfriend for being there for him.
We are really hoping to get some additional detail regarding what exactly happened. FHP handled the accident, and while we have a case number, we have yet to receive the official report. The only information we’ve been given is that the woman in the BMW was at fault, but nothing regarding how the accident actually happened.
palmcoaster says
Right of Ways Violation of Incoming Traffic should be a crime! Too many lives lost and massive injuries by these irresponsible at the steering wheel! No respect for pedestrians, cyclist, motorcyclist or pets and wildlife. Looks like some just go for the kill. That is what I have seeing and experienced. Tougher laws needed!
Jan Bogard says
I hope that it was worth it, young man, to have my girlfriend lose her damn leg!!!
Kris B. says
everyone is saying look twice for motorcycles. Has anyone ever heard of a blind spot. There are place not within your periphrial vision which includes 3 feet behind a semi truck. So just because you look twice doesnt always mean you can see them. And some cyclist dont pay attention i have seen multiple bikers lane split and ride someone tail just to get through a light. so next time think of whos fault it is or if its just a blind spot
pj says
you are just upset right now. I have been there. I did the same thing blame the other person. It will take a long thing to get over it . But you need to find it in your heart to forgiving the person or it going to eat away at you. my husband has brain damage and is totally disable and had no use of his left arm and a lot more is wrong with him all from a drunk drive and my 17 year old daughter was in there with him. just try to for giving him for what he done.he will have to live with it for the rest of his life. i lost down to 72 pound and it took me 5 years to forgive him what he did to my husband and daughter.
Vt1100 says
Jan Bogard, I wish only the best for your girlfriend;
I wasn’t there and I didn’t see the accident.
That said it is horrible to say that to the young man. He made a mistake, they are called accidents for a reason. I agree with Kris B., we as motorcyclists MUST be more aware. I ride and even I have come close to hitting bikes in blind spots or not realizing they are behind me because the rider is in MY blind spot.