A two-vehicle crash just past midday at Royal Palms Parkway and Point Pleasant Drive in Palm Coast resulted in the death of one of the drivers, according to authorities. The crash was the result of one of the drivers blowing through a stop sign.
The crash took place just past 12:15 p.m. on Royal Palms, a few dozen yards east of the intersection with Point Pleasant.
The Florida Highway Patrol’s traffic homicide investigation was ongoing at the scene for several hours. The crash crash involved a blue Acura and a gray Honda Civic, with an adult male at the wheel of the Acura and a 16-year-old girl at the wheel of the Honda.
FHP investigators concluded that the teen failed to stop at the stop sign on Point Pleasant, crashing into the eastbound Acura.
The collision caused the Acura to flip and come to rest on its roof on the Royal Palms yellow lines, facing east. The Honda Civic came to rest not much further east on Royal Palms, facing southeast. The status of the teen girl is not known, but she did not suffer life-threatening injuries (or any injuries, as FHP later confirmed) and as of around 2:30 p.m., she appeared to still be at the scene, in Flagler County Fire Rescue Unit 21.
The Palm Coast Fire Police shut down Royal Palms Parkway at Belle Terre Parkway to the west and Town Center Boulevard to the east. Point Pleasant’s intersection with Royal Palms was also shut down at Porcupine Drive. FHP’s investigation was impeded by a thunderstorm, dangerous lightning and a heavy downpour around 2:30 p.m.
In addition to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, FHP and Fire Rescue, Flagler’s Engine 92 and the Palm Coast Fire Department’s Engine 25 and Battalion 23 responded to the scene, which was still active when this article initially published. “I sent an email to all city employees that the road would be closed for an unknown amount of time,” Palm Coast Acting Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill said a little after 3 p.m.
Royal Palms Parkway is a relatively narrow road between Belle Terre and Town Center Boulevard, leaving little room for error. The last severe crash there took place in September 2018, a head-on collision that resulted in severe injuries to two women, but no fatalities. Today’s fatality is either the sixth or seventh of the year on Flagler County roads, depending on how FHP categorizes a fatality on July 28 on Pine Lakes Parkway which appears to have been a medical episode.
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Concerned Citizen says
I am sorry that someone has lost their life in a crash.
While exact causes are unknown on this one I will say this.
People need to slow way down and learn tolerance and respect on the roads. It does not matter what you drive. If you are on the road you are responsible for keeping yourself and others safe.
Every day I see people on their phones. People it can wait. Really!! Every day I see an insane amount of aggressive driving. And for what? So many of you are pulling out in front of folks and cutting them off with scant clearance. I have the same individual behind me on 305 most mornings tailgating and throwing his hands up in the air. Dude leave for work earlier!! I value my life and that of others. And have to have a clean MVR for work. That few seconds you think you gain by tail gaiting does not matter. The speeding and disregard of traffic control devices are ridiculous.
It’s time FCSO and FHP start with more traffic enforcement. I understand as a former LEO it’s the less pleasant of duties. But you make a difference being highly visible. And enforcing current laws.
Brandee says
This was a very traumatizing scene right outside my house today may god be with both families in this very hard time
Concerned Driver says
I live off of Point Pleasant Drive and I know for a fact that no one does the speed limit on this road. I have had several close calls pulling out onto Royal Palms from Point Pleasant. There needs to be more law enforcement presence. Perhaps if these speeders got a ticket it would slow them down, but I doubt it. Next step is a traffic light. Please slow down this is not a speedway!
Jimbo99 says
This area is getting too dangerous. In my neighborhood alone, all I hear are the constant noises of tire burnouts & accelerations in a residential that continue out on Belle Terre. Traffic has gotten heavier that it’s a waste of time to try to time a left turn onto Belle Terre without a traffic light. I basically go out to Whiteview and wait for the protected arrow to turn left, anything else is a right turn onto Belle Terre from the east side. Today’s cars have these crush proof cages and that means the pillars are thicker for the windshield and every door and in the case of the Acura there, a rear hatch. Quite often a motorist doesn’t ever see the vehicle they pull out in front of with these larger blind spots. As traffic ramps up with growth, we’ll see more of these mystery crashes where nobody seems to figure out what really happened. It’s even worse for pedestrians & cyclists as this area continues to grow.
FlaglerLive says
This was not a speeding issue, but I attention on the part of the teen driver who blew through the stop sign, according to FHP.
Dawn Smith says
Pedestrians yes, use the sidewalk. Cyclists, they have bike paths to use, USE them.
Jaytomm says
Stinks. I drive this road every day. Yeah no one does the 45 limit, & NO ONE does the 35 limit that is goes down too. Not sure why there’s a 35 limit anyway. But PP is very clear & so is the stop sign. Common sense would tell you to stop as there’s 2 way traffic there. Unfortunate situation but the 16yo should be charged I feel with Vehicle manslaughter. Actions have consequences. If more people were held accountable, maybe the world world work better.
ASF says
I hope it wasn’t another cell phone/texting situation. So tragic!
John says
I have known Greg for years. He is a nice young man that lost his life too soon. He was a son, a friend, and a neighbor to all. We rode bikes together, as he enjoyed every aspect of life with his love of dogs, water skiing, and just being a very adventurous. My heart goes out to his mom, his family, and his friends. All that I know, was I wish I could have helped save his life in that crash. My prayers go out to the young teen as well, as she helps deal with this sorrow. May GOD bring hope, healing, and peace to all. We all love you Greg. Rest in Peace! ……I WISH I COULD RIDE MY BIKE WITH YOU ONE MORE TIME JOHN…….
Stretchem says
The Acura driver literally sacrificed his life for the young Honda driver. He maneuvered in such a way so as to avoid t-boning the Honda, which would have almost certainly killed that driver, and subsequently flipped his own vehicle and getting killed in the process. Your car has more protections against serious injury or death right in front of you. Not on the sides, not in the rear, and not from the top.
The Acura driver is a hero for saving the life of this teen. He and his family should be paid a great debt of gratitude.
There should be a tax law in this country that if you kill another in a vehicle homicide (and it is homicide, not an “accident” – your negligence and immaturity caused the death of another), then 20% of all income for the rest of your natural born life goes to the victim’s family. Comes straight out of your tax returns. Let’s literally start “valueing” life in our country. Traffic citations or even jail time ain’t working! Start hitting’em in the wallets!
Billy bob says
16 year old needs to be charged for this innocent guys death ridiculous kids not paying attention probably on the freaking cell phone.
jimmie jones says
I knew this young man..Damn shame,So Sorry For his MOM…THIS YOUNG MAN WAS A CLASS ACT>>>>>
A.j says
Do not k ow the full story. A death is a death. I fell sorry his family. Don’t know what the young lady was doing, look at the sad outcome. A life we will not get back. STOP MEANS TO STOP DRIVONG AND LOOK. RIGHT ONCE LEFT TWICE AND PROCEED IF IT IS SAFE. A PERSON NEED TO LOOK AS MUCH AS IT TAKE TO MAKE SURE IT IS SAFE TO PROCEED. A 63 yr. old man lost his life last week in P.C. failing to stop at the stop sign. Failure to stop at the stop sign has caused 2 lives in less than a week, SAD. I’m sure the young lady feel bad. I’m sure people will call her a murderer. A bad tag for a very young life. People please STOP AT THE STOP SIGN, THEY ARE THERE FOR A REASON. PLEASE STOP, THE LIFE YOU SAVE NAY BE YOUR LIFE. LEAVE THE CELL PHONE ALONE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE FOR THE SAKE OF SAVING A LIFE STOP AT THE STOP SIGN.
KC says
that stupid, irresponsible teenager needs to be thrown in jail and have her license revoked for good. At 16 years old, newly licensed, you should be the most careful and yet she blew through a stop sign and ended a young mans life. The family is suffering because of an idiot driver who was probably on her phone. JAIL TIME!
David S. says
Yesterday i was sitting at Palm Coast Pky and Bolder Rock near Walmart and the light turned red and 5 cars just blew through it, didn’t even slow down and this crap goes on daily at many intersections…
mark101 says
Under Florida Statute 782.071, the crime of Vehicular Homicide is committed when a person causes the death of another person while operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner likely to cause death or great bodily harm.
Friend says
We’ve been friends since high school. He was only 36 and his mother’s only child…This is gut-wrenching and heart shattering for all those who knew him…I hope he and Rocky are together again! Forever in our hearts!
Susan says
I’m sorry for your loss. This young man died at front of my eyes.
I was driving home and I just so flying car on the air and twisted twice . He felt out of the roof window and car smushed him.
I was in shock what happened. I stop my car and called 911. I feel so sorry for this young man , I see this crash all over in my head . Rest In Peace young man , I wish I can help you . My condolences go to his family and friends.
Lisa says
I am sorry you had to witness this. I can only imagine how traumatic that must have been. I appreciate your sympathy and thank you for stopping to call 911. At the same time, please keep in mind that this young man has family and friends in this community. He was part of my family for over 25 years. We are grieving, our hearts are broken and this level of detail makes a tragic loss all that much more painful.
Sophia Burton says
Sophia Burton
Friend
I know the family for the longest time and Greg is the most kindest young man you could ever find and he is his mother right hand. This is very hard for her and us.