Last Updated: 8:30 a.m. Friday, with victims’ names.
A van and an SUV collided on Palm Coast Parkway shortly after 5 p.m. today, sending one van into a deep pond and overturning the SUV. Four people, including two children, were hospitalized, none with life-threatening injuries.
The crash took place on Palm Coast Parkway’s westbound lanes, near Tire Kingdom. A Dodge Caravan with Jacqueline Brimhall, 34, and her two children, 7 and 11, on board, was heading west. Linda Svihlik, 70, of Palm Coast, was driving a Chevy Equinox toward the Parkway from a north access road (the road has no name), just off Tire Kingdom. The two vehicles crashed, with the Caravan ending up in the pond and the Equinox on its side, facing north, and blocking one of the three lanes of the Parkway.
Svihlik had to be extricated from the Equinox by rescuers. But she was conscious and coherent when she emerged. She was later listed in serious condition.
A Florida Highway Patrol report found Svihlik to have violated Brimhall’s right of way. The Equinox had stopped at the stop sign on the access road’s intersection with Palm Coast Parkway but then attempted to cross traffic, at that point violating the Caravan’s right of way. (An earlier version of this story inaccurately characterized the maneuver as “blowing through a Stop sign”). She was charged with the right-of-way violation, which carries a civil traffic infraction fine.
Traffic was reduced to one lane as rescuers and first responders worked the scene, which was under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP investigator at the scene said that an off-duty corrections deputy from Volusia County was nearby when the crash took place. He dove into the water and rescued the family in the Caravan, the investigator said, based on other accounts. The three victims were by the side of the pond when rescuers arrived. But there were conflicting reports of who actually got involved in the rescue.
The children were not seriously hurt. They and their mother went to Florida Hospital Flagler. The victim in the Equinox was transported by ground to Florida Hospital Flagler. None of the injuries entailed trauma.
Responders hurried to clear the scene on the approach of a storm and possible hail, with Saxon’s Towing of Bunnell pulling the Caravan out of the water shortly after 6. The whole scene was almost cleared by 6:15.
Responders included Palm Coast’s Engine 21 (which was first on scene) and Engine 22, Battalion 20 and 21, Flagler County Fire Rescues 41 and 21, and the Palm Coast Fire Police, along with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Ryan says
[Thank you for the timely correction Ryan.–FL]
Equinox is a SUV not a van.
Steven Wood says
You take your life in your hands driving in Palm Coast.
South Florida says
I hope everyone is okay. Prayers.
Anonymous says
The speed limits are too high. 35 mph would be plenty with everything going on there. Remember people are usually going at least 5 mph over the posted speed limits.
Wtf says
Thank GOD they are all ok. What a freak accident.😱What is really going on in palm coast. 🙏
Wtf says
Oh and people when you hear a siren you let the emt or fire truck go first. Even if you have a green light. I saw a couple of stupid people trying to go straight in front of a emt and he was honking with his LOUD horn and had his lights on and a siren. Where are these people from that they don’t even know basic rules. God help us all in palm coast.🙏🤦♂️
Sw says
Everyday occurence smh
nick says
Either they close that intersection off or put a stop light there cause no one respects that intersection. All the time i see people launching themselves accross the intersection or turning onto the road without looking. Honestly i dont see why so many accidents, its clearly visible everywhere so its most likely driver error.
Komodo Dragon says
Really Steve??? We have very low insurance rates in Palm Coast due to the low incidents of accidents.
Anyways, glad the injuries are not serious and many thanks to the Correction Officer who was selfless and doing what many hesitate to do.
It appears that the driver of the SUV, the Equinox, blew through a stop sign or attempted to beat a crowd of traffic and didn’t make it. If she blew through the STOP sign, it may have been a text while driving situation which needs addressing.
kroberts says
I really wish the state would put guard rails around pond areas; it’s so scary to think of sinking in the water
& will you be able to get out safely? I remember the man last year getting off @ Palm Coast Parkway
when heading north; he ended up in the pond…..night time, drowning & dead. It’s a great fear…..hope every one has their safety hammer for windows & seat belt cutting. It may just help you save your own life!
Anonymous says
hey Komodo have to DISAGREE w/ u on the insurance …my daughter and her husband pay $20 LESS A MONTH FOR TWO CARS THAN FOR THE SAME COVERAGE SAME COMPANY FOR ONE CAR IN PALM COAST!!! They now live in Oviedo. The agent told them insurance rates ARE VERY HIGH in Palm Coast because of all the drivers over seventy and the amount of accidents in Palm Coast
Dawn says
Should can also remove your headrest and use it to smash a window.
Jolene dehart says
OMG that is such an important fact.
Anonymous says
there is video….it will be released–ive seen it….
it isn’t pretty-and thank god everyone is ok
Pizza Lover says
I’m glad to see the pizza made out okay!
Just sayin' says
R.I.P. Pizza…
Kyle lane says
Oh No!!! Not the pizza!!!
Danielle G says
Palm Coast is a mixing bowl. Though one is use to their home state ways. Slow down!! Florida is a easy going State. Drive that way or return back to where that driving is a norm
Felipe pires says
Im part of the take 5 oil change crew. Im one of the rescuers. I did not see any off duty cop or any kind of first responder till 8 or so minutes after we pulled the lady and her family out. I kicked in the onther ladys windshield in and ripped it off with my bare hands and turned her car off because it was till on after it flipped. Comforted her with pillows from my car and brought waters for the family. We then beought traffic cones from take 5 and had directed traffic BEFORE first responders… but there wasnt no off duty cop. I was there.
ARrinaldi says
The comment about guard rails around the ponds is rediculous. If you want that, move back to New York or New Jersey or any big city dump. People need to learn how to drive or suffer the consequences. Keep the city as pristine as it is. Let’s just put concrete barriers all over the city ,that way we can make it like Daytona 500.SMH, rediculous.
BC says
ARrinaldi….
Palm Coast roads are already like driving in the Daytona 500!
Posted speed limit on Belle Terre is 45… when was the last time anyone did under 55 on that road? Hell… people fly down Seminole Woods and Belle Terre south pushing 80+! Same thing on SR100. Everyone is texting while speeding, and many can barely hear normal conversation, let alone emergency sirens!
The only thing that concrete barriers will do is increase the number of fatal crashes. Palm Coast drivers can’t navigate cones for traffic control and you are suggesting concrete barriers?
USMC Wife says
Felipe…. the off duty Corrections Officer was my husband who was dressed in civilian clothes so you would not have known he was a C.O. I was right there too and he DID indeed pull the mother and girls from the submerged car. He even had the peace of mind to grab the ladies purse too!!! As a combat veteran and seasoned C.O., my husband is an incredibly humble man and would not boost about his good deeds. We’re just thankful no one was more seriously injured, especially those sweet girls.
Jeff says
Being somewhat new to this area I have been quite surprised by the flagrant disregard by many people to making a full and complete stop at intersections with no traffic signal. STOP means stop, not rush through in hopes of beating the cross traffic. I pray that those injured recover quickly. Be safe!!
FPC Resident says
Good Job Felipe Pires!
Bc. says
Nice job. USMC 🇺🇸
TeddyBallGame says
I have had to slam on my breaks on numerous occasions to avoid hitting a vehicle try to sneak through oncoming traffic in order to cross PCP. And the most dangerous of these crossovers is where Lupi Ct. crosses over to Pine Cone. Many accidents have happened there. RIGHT TURN ONLY signs and permanent traffic cones should installed at the end of Lupi Ct..
Born and Raised Here says
Another reason why older drivers should be road tested every few year.
woody says
No more sleepy pre- retirement town.Big city problems drugs, gangs,drive by’s,burglaries,home invasion.That’s what you get when our city mucky mucks what fast expansion.Tax revenue greed.
Carolyn Sierra says
I don’t know what the heck is going on but I’ve been coming to Palm Coast to visit over 25+ years. My husband and I moved here almost 4 years ago and it seems like drivers are getting worse and worse. People blow through stop signs, tailgating, cutting off, speeding, etc. I’ve almost been run over 3 times in the parking lot at Publix at Town Center. This use to be such a quiet, peaceful community and all I hear is sirens and read about car accidents all the time. Maybe it’s time we all stop being in such a hurry, slow down, put others first and enjoy living in such a great community that is safe!! Who’s with me?
Anonymous says
1. Oohrah! USMC Wife 🇺🇸
2. Just a couple weeks back, I had to swerve away from a car that was traveling on Palm Coast Parkway Eastbound in a Westbound lane, and then passed by a Motorcycle Officer, and then made an illegal turn. There is way to much of this going on.
Bill harvey says
Incompetence at all ages every driver should be tested after so many years maybe we should have a go fund me page for the sheriffs department so they can get radar equipment how often do you see radar being used in the city
Chris says
To husband of USMC wife, I just want to say a BIG thank you for rescuing my niece and her 2 girls.
FactIs... says
Too many people don’t know the traffic rules!! Take for example those wanting to cross PCP from the side access and across the way, someone wanting to turn left onto PCP. The person going straight has the right of way !! You cannot turn in front of someone wanting to go forward/straight and block their right of way. I have had to slam my brakes in the middle of Palm Coast Parkway to avoid a T-bone crash from someone wanting to turn left and then worry about ME getting T-boned from those traveling west on PCP. What happened to drivers Ed????