A man in his 20s walking along State Road 100 just west of County Road 302 was killed this afternoon after he was struck by a white van that kept going.
The van’s driver, Joshua Carver, 33, of Palatka, kept going along 100 into Putnam County, where he was pulled over by a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Carver was arrested.
The fatal collision took place about a mile west of County Road 302 at 4:30 p.m.–on a clear, bright afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies were first on scene, followed by Flagler County Fire Rescue and Palm Coast Fire Police personnel, who shut down 100 between 302 and County Road 205.
The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was walking west on the right side of SR100. Carver was driving west when he struck the pedestrian. The victim, 29, was found in a ditch. Flagler County Fire Flight, the emergency helicopter, was briefly placed on standby, but a firefighter-paramedic pronounced the victim dead at 4:43 p.m.
The FHP investigation was expected to stretch well into the evening. The road was to remain closed until the investigation is over. (It reopened at 8:50 p.m.)
A driver striking a pedestrian does not necessarily result in criminal charges. But leaving the scene of an accident–a hit-and-run–where a death has occurred is a first-degree felony, with a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison. If the individual was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash, he or she would face a minimum mandatory four-year prison sentence.
“If that person is arrested they will go to Putnam, and then they’ll have to be extradited to Flagler,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said. “With something that close it could be the next day. They’re going to have to have first appearance, so it’ll be up to the judge.”
The fatality is the sixth of the year on Flagler roads, the second this month. It is the first involving a pedestrian.
Jimbo99 says
The human race disappoints yet again, what kind of a person hits even a car, an animal or in this case another human being and then drives away. Who knows, maybe the pedestrian was on the road way to get knocked into the ditch ? Those people are out there contributing to their own demise just the same. Been fortunate to not have encountered too many of those that refuse to stay off a road as a pedestrian. As a cyclist though, it’s disturbing to know there are motorists like this that won’t share a road per FL Statutes.
TR says
First let me say that I agree 100% with you first half of your comments. However I drive almost every day around the roads (of mostly Flagler County) and it’s upsetting to me as to how many people are ignorant to sharing the road. I’m sorry but yes including people who ride bicycles. The worst are the older kids getting that get off the school buses. They walk side by side two – four wide and don’t care about people in cars. They think they own the road and will not move for nothing. The bicycle riders that wear those spandex outfits are sometimes the biggest violators of not sharing the road, they also sometimes ride side by side and don’t care. The stupidest thing is going out at night wearing dark clothing (with no reflective anything) and walking in the street, sometimes even if there are sidewalks(or pathways they sometimes call them) just feet away from them. But I guess the saying is true, ” you can’t fix stupid”. All this could be resolved with teaching at home. But if you have a parent who doesn’t do their job then we end up with a society where no one cares. Oh wait we have that now.
Local says
He was walking in the 2ft right of way along the side of the road. I saw him several times yesterday. No reason why the guy left the scene?
CB from PC says
As a dog walker I find it “disturbing” that cyclists think nothing of pedaling full tilt by with a muffled out of breath “on your left”.
Fl statute requires some type of audible device.
I cycled way before the yuppie spandex days.
If you want to haul ass, do it on the roadways with the rest of traffic.
And when cycling on the roads, stop at red lights and stop signs.
Trailer Bob says
To leave the scene of an accident, when you could have possibly save someones life is extremely pathetic. That is about as cold as it gets. Condolences to the victims friends and family.
SandyP says
@Jimbo99, I’m a little confused. Your statement “Those people are out there contributing to their own demise just the same. Been fortunate to not have encountered too many of those that refuse to stay off a road as a pedestrian.” leaves me a bit disturbed. So are you saying people should not walk on the road? Is there a sidewalk in that area that was available to them? Country roads don’t usually have sidewalks. So you continually have access as a cyclist to bike lanes? Yes I agree that the driver should be held responsible for leaving the scene of an accident with injury/fatality. No question about that. What I gather from the article both the pedestrian and van driver were heading west in late afternoon. The sun making it’s descent around that time of the day can be blinding to a driver even with sunglasses on. If a person does not have any means of transportation other than his own 2 legs, what do you suggest he do? Your empathy is amazing :(
palmcoaster says
This hit and drive away driver is a killer to me, from the moment he drove away while maybe could have saved this 20’s human being. Also what the hell spandex have to do when taking about those cyclist? Maybe envy cause the ones mentioning it can’t fit in one or they will never be able to ride a bike or be healthy and fit? I sure take offense about the spandex mention as right on sounds discriminating of people practicing sports. My daughter is a competitive cyclist and maybe found riding the three surrounding counties often enough to risk her life when I see comments like this. She has lost enough friends that were riding on the shoulder and abiding signs while hit by texting or impaired (DUI) drivers that had no business being at the steering wheel at that moment. So do yourselves a favor and keep the crass “expanded” mention when possible referring to cyclist. Motor vehicle drivers also need to share the road!
Loretta says
Is it possible the driver was texting or otherwise not paying attention to the road, swerved and in the process hit the pedestrian but didn’t even realize it? I’m sure we’ve all heard the blaring music a lot of drivers have on. Maybe the driver didn’t realize what he had done. He’s still liable, but perhaps didn’t realize he “left the scene” ??? Tragic that someone lost his life. There are too many distracted drivers on the roads. Prayers for the victim’s family and friends.
KB from Mondex says
I was driving east on rt100 from rt305 at around 4:15 that day. Saw the pedestrian walking on the shoulder, not in the road. He was wearing dark clothing and the sun was not low enough in the sky for any glare yet. The victim was not at fault in anyway. May he rest in peace.
Teresa Meggs says
Thank you, Trailer Bob, I much appreciate your statement. As the mother of the victim, I too wonder if my son could have been saved if someone was there if this soulless person could of had some compassion. Did this person know CPR? or maybe first aid? or maybe just be there to hold his hand during his last breath? This keeps playing over and over in my mind. I can’t help but wonder what was his last thoughts laying there, It just breaks my heart.
Teresa Meggs says
You are certainly correct with your statement. I just don’t understand how a human being could treat another like this. How cold some people can be.
Teresa Meggs says
I hope my son can rest in peace? Thank you for your comment.
Jeanne L McKillop says
Prayers and prayers and prayers.