Last Updated: 5:19 p.m., with crash-report details.
A semi loaded with sod overturned at 1:27 p.m. today at the intersection of Palm Coast Parkway and U.S. 1, closing both eastbound lanes of the parkway. No one was hurt.
John Ross Crosswhite, 26, of Palm Coast’s P-Section, was driving the truck north on U.S. 1. He was making the sharp right turn onto the parkway when the truck, a 2007 Peterbilt tractor trailer, overturned.
The traffic light was green as Crosswhite was approaching the intersection. “There was a southbound vehicle still making the left turn onto Palm Coast Pkwy and a northbound vehicle still stopped in the northbound outside lane,” which Crosswhite was in, according to the crash report. Crosswhite “did not believe he would be able to stop before striking the stopped vehicle,” the report continues. Crosswhite “attempted to make a right turn onto Palm Coast Pkwy to avoid a collision. [Crosswhite] was traveling too fast to make the turn,” and overturned as a result.
In essence, according to the report, Crosswhite took evasive action to avoid more direct or serious injury to another driver.
The truck ended up straddling both eastbound lanes of the parkway, its cab facing east toward the Palm Coast welcome sign in the median. The clean-up was expected to take a couple of hours as crews from Roger’s Towing, the Bunnell tower, were having to unload the sod first before righting the truck back on its wheels. Crews brought in a small loader for the task.
The truck is registered to Nicholas Castle of Bunnell. It sustained $5,000 in damages.
The Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue responded, as did the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. The Palm Coast Fire Police was regulating traffic, with eastbound traffic having to detour to Commerce Parkway.
It was one of two traffic issues on Palm Coast Parkway this afternoon. Crews were also working to repair a non-functioning traffic light at Pine Cone Drive’s intersection with the westbound lanes of the parkway. Sheriff’s deputies were regulating traffic there.
The scene at Palm Coast Parkway and U.S. 1 was finally cleared just after 5 p.m., and lanes reopened.
Linze says
Speed as usual,no doubt
Most truckers do not obey speed limits
Will says
Trying to skip the weigh station?
Really says
The load usually shifts due to inertia caused by to high a speed around the turn. Slow down
Mark says
There is nothing “sharp” about that turn. Simply going to make the turn safely. If his load shifted, it was because of speed.
Jimbo says
1st the weigh station has been closed for months. Second did you read the article? He was avoiding two stopped cars that were sitting at green light. His intentions were never to make a turn on PCPky but travel north on US1. 3rd MOST truckers have gps installed by company and CANNOT break the speed limit or the boss will get alerts and drivers face getting fired. Insurance is high enough and these companies save a lot by installing the device.
Glen says
Good job avoiding more injuries to other drivers by avoiding that car. Some of these people have nothing else better to do than shame on other peoples misfortunes. I think that people need to be respectful and observant of truckers I have seen so many people cut trucks off and whip all around them, how do you expect a 50,000 + truck to stop as fast as any given vehicle. Furthermore, the person who was at the light and sitting there on their phone and not driving ahead on a green light as a truck is approaching was an idiot and he or she better be grateful that the truck turned to avoid them turned and missed them. (I witnessed the entire thing in my vehicle).
Drew says
If you were not aware, you can’t avoid the weigh station via US-1. There is a small scale just north of Palm Coast Parkway on US-1. There are also cameras and in road scales on US-1 just south of Palm Coast Parkway. In addition, there are cameras and in road scales on the I-95 off ramps at Palm Coast Parkway and at I-95 and 100.
Please don’t assume the worst about truckers. We work extremely long, hard hours to make a decent living. Without us, Wal-mart, Publix, Home Depot, gas stations would be empty. There also would be no paved roads, medical supplies at your hospital, or building materials that come together to form your home. There are only a small number of things which ARE NOT delivered by truck … sunshine, rain, darkness, wild animals, natural vegetation, waves at the beach, and AIR!! For EVERYTHING else, you can thank a trucker.
You are welcome :-)
Eric says
Will- there’s a scale north on us1 right after parkway so you can’t say that and if you look around whiteview they have scales under the ground in the right lane that’s why it says all trucks stay in right lane around whiteview on us1
Its hard being a truck driver and you have people in cars that don’t nothing about trucks.people these trucks can’t stop on a damn dime like a car can!!!!!
Anonymous says
I saw this and the driver of the large truck was driving too fast!! The rate of speed caused the turn over. Because this was a turn and an intersection he should have been driving slower. This could have been tragic and he should be cited!! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the driver of this big rig was in the wrong and should be cited. We don’t need people like this behind the wheel of a vehicle that could have caused a horrific event. Thank goodness no one was killed! KEEP HIM OFF THE ROAD!!!
Please no more. says
In “essence” the truck driver was going too fast, but thankfully was able to avoid a more serious crash into another vehicle. I am glad that no one was injured.
Rick Kang says
This trucking company should teach it’s drivers the UPS 5-Step Safe Driving System! Truck driving is Very Serious Work! It appears this driver did NOT get the “Big Picture” and give himself an “Out”(a Safe Out)!
Jackie says
Really john?!! Glad he was OK but he definitely knows better !! Don’t judge if you don’t know the whole story. He’s a great truck driver everyone makes mistakes.
Jenn says
He did the right thing to avoid hitting innocent people thank God he wasn’t hurt himself.
palmcoaster says
I always see big loaded or no load trucks driving over the speed limit in Palm Coast Parkway and all the other major roads….slow down!