Two people were hospitalized late Tuesday evening after a 9:20 p.m. head-on wreck involving two subcompact vehicles on Palm Coast Parkway and Boulder Rock Drive.
The wreck virtually totaled both vehicles, one of which collided with a concrete utility pole after colliding with the car.
“Somebody ran a red light,” the Florida Highway Patrol investigator at the scene said a little after 10 p.m. “I’m going to pull the red-light camera footage and find out who it is.” The wreck took place at about 9:20 p.m. The culprit, he said, will be cited for a traffic light infraction.
The Kia and the Optima collided on the north-center side of the intersection. The Focus, its front end violently smashed, ended up facing east against westbound traffic in the right-most lane of Palm Coast Parkway, in the center of Boulder Rock. The Kia ended its trajectory with its driver’s side smashed into a concrete utility pole, some 10 feet past the curb and sidewalk, on the northwest side of the intersection.
Both drivers were taken to Florida Hospital Flagler, suggesting that their injuries, if serious, are not life-threatening. Both drivers’ air bags deployed, and while the front ends of the vehicles were severely damaged, the vehicles’ interior driver’s sides had largely preserved their integrity.
Traffic was light and barely impeded as the Palm Coast Fire Police regulated traffic flow, closing only the turning lane from Palm Coast Parkway to Boulder Rock Drive.
The wreck was to be cleared before 11 p.m.
Robert says
I hope the folks in the accident will be okay. I thought Red Light Cameras were supposed to make intersections safer.
Shocked, I tell you... says
@ Robert: No, just take your money. :-)
RHWeir says
Well, somebody didn’t make for for somebody! Glad no was killed. It will be interesting to see who caused this mayhem.
tulip says
This is another example of the benefits of red light cameras—-it will prove who caused the accident and save a lot of hassle with the insurance companies.
I am very glad they are both okay .
Geezer says
Picture this: you’re stopped at a camera-equipped red light.
You’re the first one at the intersection with the crosswalk right in front of you.
You’re waiing for the light to change to green (like the good driver you are).
Suddely behind you, you hear sirens, there’s a fire engine blaring its horns, and an
ambulance for good measure also making a desperate-sounding raquet.
Oooh, they’re putting on a light show! Maybe somebody’s having a heart attack?!
Do you run the light, risking a ticket? Those emergency vehicles have to get through!
Do you freeze up anticipating a 180.00 ticket? While the emergency vehicles continue
to blare their horns and sirens?
What would any of you do?
You will most certainly end up with a ticket if you go through the red light.
Anybody got $180.00 (or whatever it costs) burning a hole in their pocket to donate
to ATS and Florida?
I DON’T.
My best wishes to both of these accident victims.
JL says
I will say a prayer for both. I hope they will be ok.
Marissa says
I was driving when I saw the flash of a traffic camera. I figured that my
picture had been taken for exceeding the limit even I knew that I was not speeding.
Just to be sure, I went around the block and passed the same spot, driving even
more slowly, but again the camera flashed.
Now I began to think that this was quite funny, so I drove even slower as I passed the
area once more, but the traffic camera again flashed
I tried a fourth and fifth time with the same results and was now laughing as the camera
flashed while I rolled past at a snail’s pace.
Two weeks later, I got five tickets in the mail for driving without a seat belt.
Shocked, I tell you... says
@ Marissa: Thanks for the giggle.
Bob says
Glad nobody was killed. Red light cameras are meant to deter, not stop red light runners. The footage will help determine who was at fault so the police get this right. Perhaps if you were at fault or if you have a tendency to run red lights you might make statements like the one above.
m&m says
People who whine about those cameras are people who have been caught running red lights.. Because of them we have much fewer accidents like this.. Thank God nobody was killed..
Nancy N. says
BZZZZ. Wrong. I’ve never gotten a ticket from the cameras and I’m an extremely loud opponent of them. Some people just have a problem with having surveillance all over our town. Regardless of how law-abiding we are, we just don’t like Big Brother looking over our shoulder 24/7.
Jim says
Bull Shit! There are no “fewer” accidents. Just another way to get money! I am surprised there are not more accidents with people cramming on the brakes when the lights turn yellow.
Nancy N. says
I also oppose the TSA’s use of body scanners – I suppose that means in your world that I must be a terrorist?
blondee says
For anyone reading Marissa’s post, this is a long-standing joke that’s been around the internet. The cameras don’t catch speeders or seat belt violations.
The Geode says
I am more shocked nobody has wrecked on that blind curve red light on South-bound US1 and Seminole Woods. When approaching that area, I get into the left lane because you would have to lock your brakes and hope you wont skid into a stopped car in the right lane going 65-70 MPH.
Jim says
Really, someone named Blondee is teaching us something??? LOL….. Trust, cameras track speed (if you speed up or slow down) and take pics from the back so it’s hard to tell about seat belts, and while drivers don’t run red lights as much, they slam on brakes and cause wrecks in the turning lane.
Tom says
I don’t know what we would have done without your knowledge Blondee.
Marissa says
It was just a joke guys. Gee Blondee, are you really blond? On another note, cameras are nothing more than a cash cow and guess what! We’re the sitting ducks. Mr. Landon; “Tear Down those Cameras!”
The Geode says
I just got one in the mail. I made a stop before turning right, but to contest it and lose (you’re gonna lose regardless) will cost an ADDITIONAL 250.00! AND you might get hit up for prosecuting fees. So, I will pay the 158.00 even though I didn´t do what they said I had done because it cost too much to fight a losing battle. …just like criminal trials.
Jim says
I’m in Virginia, and in the paper there are storys about city workers and city counsel members who get breaks and dont have to pay them (go figure). Even the Governor of Va could face charges (but he said he’ll pay back all loans with interest) (go figure)….. enough said.