A 43-year-old Palm Coast man lost his life Wednesday night in a rear-end crash as traffic was stalled on I-95 because of an earlier traffic crash further ahead.
The crash was reported to Flagler County’s 911 center at 10:25 p.m. when a witness reported that a minivan crashed into and went under a semi truck that had been stopped in the northbound lanes of I-95, near mile marker 282 (around the Old Dixie Highway interchange).
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that traffic had been stopped because of another traffic crash in the same area: a car had run into a semi truck that caused the semi to overturn on its side on the State Road 100 Bridge. That crash clogged both northbound and southbound lanes. The driver of the car was injured.
John’s Towing, the Bunnell company, was summoned by the Department of Transportation to clear the scene as a Rapid Incident Scene Clearance: the semi, which was loaded with produce, was put back on its wheels. Authorities had to fix damage to guardrails and asphalt.
That first crash caused traffic to back up for miles. Some five miles south, the Palm Coast driver “failed to stop” and collided with the rear of a semi, according to FHP. The entire front end of the driver’s minivan went under the truck, according to 911 notes.
The driver of the minivan, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 30-year-old driver of the truck, from Lauderhill, was traveling with a 73-year-old man from West Palm Beach. Neither was injured.
John’s Towing also cleared the scene in the second crash, as it was categorized under FHP’s towing rotation. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue responded to the scene. It was at least the ninth fatality on Flagler County roads this year, and the first since the death of a motorcyclist on June 29.
I-95 northbound was shut down at Old Dixie Highway. The highway was not reopened until early Thursday morning.
Atwp says
Be alert and stay safe.
TR says
Unbelievable. I’m starting to avoid I-95 as much as possible because of to many people not paying attention while driving.
I would rather go out of my way for 5 minutes then have to deal with idiots racing on the interstate. My life is worth more to me then one of the idiots speeding taking it away.
Drive careful people.
For Real says
Sure are a lot of accidents on I95 in the PC area. There needs to be more Highway Patrol Officers out on these roads, you never see them anywhere only until after something happens.
Pdiddy says
Agree, I do the same…
Bud says
How would more officers in that area prevent someone from running into the back of a stopped semi?
Denali says
More cops in the area are not going to stop these needless accidents. Perhaps if they took a more ‘vigorous’ approach to speed limit enforcement; cracked down on those ‘speed-racers’ weaving in and out of traffic, using the right lane and shoulder for a passing lane and then ticketed vehicles just cruising in the left and middle lanes (keep right except to pass) there may possibly be a reduction in the primary accidents on I-95. As for the secondary accidents such as this fatality – no number of added cops is going to aid a obviously distracted driver in seeing a wall of brake lights in time to stop safely.
Jay Tomm says
FHP & FCSO need to start stopping speeders in this area. I never see any law enforcement. Blanket the area for a few months. Start pulling over 4-5 cars at a time & the area will become a known speed trap on waze & word of mouth & traffic will slow.
Former Trooper says
No matter the amount of enforcement, you will not effect change on an Interstate system. Overwhelming majority of the motorists on these roadways are passing through and not aware of normal “speed traps” as you call them. This enforcement method does work on local roads, but you will see no change on an Interstate unless the entire state gets a speed enforcement reputation such as Georgia State Patrol. The real solution is very stiff punishments for egregious violations. Florida needs a reckless by speed statute so speed over a certain threshold is an arrestable offense. Currently a 50mph over violation only lands you a court appearance and maximum fine of about $1,100. Start suspending driver licenses for these high speed violations and you’ll start seeing some better behavior on the roadways.
Mona says
So, how do they supposed to do it without being present on the road? People always slow down seeing police cars. They are needed.