Kerry Lee Milich, a cyclist, was struck by a car at the intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and State Road 100 just after 4 p.m. today. The driver of the car initially drove on, but was later located.
Milich, 57, of Bunnell, was taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach in critical condition, by ground. Based on evidence at the scene, he appears to have been struck as he was crossing Belle Terre on the north side of the street, along State Road 100. Debris marked the trail of the collision from at the northwest corner of the busy intersection, where the victim may have been catapulted several feet into the intersection. His bicycle was resting on the grass along SR 100, but some of the the victim’s belongings were closer to the center of the intersection.
Several witnessed described the incident to authorities at the scene that included the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol. The latter is investigating the crash. One witness told an FHP investigator that when Milich was struck, “he went straight up and straight down.”
An FHP investigator said preliminary indications are that Milich was traveling east to west, crossing Belle Terre on the north side of SR100, when a Ford pick-up truck traveling south on Belle Terre, in the lane closest to the median, struck him at the intersection. The pick-up kept driving.
An FHP release later identified the driver of the Ford F-150 as Michael Bailey of Palm Coast, 61.
Asked if the crash is considered a hit-and run, the FHP investigator at the scene paused. “Subject to investigation,” he said, then added: “The vehicle is not here.” The FHP release stated that “For unknown reason(s), [Bailey] left the scene and was later found by Flagler County Sheriff Deputies not far from the scene.”
The investigator called the victim’s injuries “possibly life-threatening,” and Milich was still listed a critical in the FHP release when it was issued at midnight.
Charges are pending.
The victim’s roommate cycled onto the scene about half an hour after the crash and became so distraught that Palm Coast paramedics and a Flagler County Fire Rescue unit were dispatched to tend to her. She eventually was not transported to a hospital.
“What happened? What happened? she asked a member of the Palm Coast Fire Police as she was crossing SR 100, from east to west, toward her roommate’s bicycle. As soon as she neared the scene she must have immediately recognized his bicycle and his effects.
“Where’s Kerry? Where’s Kerry?” she screamed, “oh God, oh God, I’ve got to call him.” Sheriff’s deputies came to her aid as she had difficulties standing up. They helped her off her bicycle and eased her onto the ground, reassuring her and comforting her.”
“The motorist is not here, but he was located,” an official at the scene said.
The Fire Police shut down Belle Terre Parkway southbound from the Town Center intersection (at Publix) on, but traffic was otherwise unimpeded.
The scene was not expected to be cleared for a few hours as a homicide investigation was to take place. Though the crash was not a traffic homicide as of 5 p.m., the possibility that it could turn into one requires FHP to conduct a homicide investigation at the scene, while all the evidence is there, undisturbed.
YankeeExPat says
On a per capita basis, Florida recorded an annual average of about 5.7 cyclist deaths per million residents, by far the most of any state. The national bicyclist death rate for 2012 was approximately 2.3 deaths per 1 million.
Laura Gollon says
I can’t even describe my feelings about this right now. I’m sooo freaking fed up with our do-nothing government in this town and state. This intersection should’ve been fixed YEARS AGO!! I feel like I could vomit. There’s a knot in my stomach I’m so angry!! I hope they sue to ever-lovin’ crap out of everyone!
I was contact with the mayor (Netts), city manager (Landon) and NOTHING was done, except a little sign that tells motorists to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. I was interviewed by the Observer about this intersection.
Obviously Palm Coast/Flagler/State of Florida DOT are all waiting for someone to die. And even then I highly doubt anything will change or improve. SICK.
Sw says
True PC fashion the loser runs. Cars and bikes, pedestrians dont mix. My advice, never ride a bike on these roads with the drivers here, just sayin
another vet says
another hit and run, I bet the driver doesnt have insurance
Alphonso Zeimers says
Very sad situation. My daughter and I were talking about this very same issue.
These major intersection are extremely dangerous as drivers tend to speed up when
approaching them out of fear of missing the green light. I find it hard that the driver just
drove away and glad they were found. Hoping he survives.
Richard Smith says
Why are there so many Hit & Run situations occurring these days? Have people lost their sense of responsibility and decency? Do people really think that they can ignore what just happened? I think it is time to up the minimum punishment for leaving the scene of an accident to 5 or 10 years in prison PLUS whatever prison time they are sentenced with for the crime.
We have plenty of land in this country to build enormous prisons. Start FILLING THEM UP. Plus they don’t need to be treated as well as they currently are just because they are in prison so it won’t be costing more it should be costing LESS. Some prisons have better accommodations for the inmates than a lot of people living in their “homes”.
nomorepitbulls says
I hope he pulls through ok.
Bottom line though is that bicyclists put their lives at risk every time they ride along highways.
The bike lanes are extremely narrow and alot of bikers hug the line and are way too close to the road.
Throw in a heavy dose of speeding, texting,old, young, bad eyesight or just plain lousy drivers and deaths will continue to occur.
“Share the road” sounds nice but reality is a different story. I would suggest get into mountain biking on dirt trails – at the very least there are no cars flying by.
Shark says
They’re all republicans – that’s why nothing gets done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bill says
Shark says:
May 14, 2017 at 9:00 am
They’re all republicans – that’s why nothing gets done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So just how does the political affiliation of others make one leave a accident and either the bicyclist or auto driver NOT follow the rules of the road??? This is a great example of why government is broken when some have such HATE for those with differing political opinions they blame every thing on the other guys. Sad.
A Concerned Observer says
A Concerned Observer: 14 May 2017
One commenter asked why there are so many hit-and-runs here. Well, there are three main contributing factors.
One: There are many drivers here that drive with no insurance. Yes, that is illegal but in Florida, unlike some other states I am familiar with, there is no communication to the Florida DMV from auto insurance carriers when a policy is canceled with no other new policy to take its place. Once a license plate is issued with proof of insurance, the insured party can stop paying for the policy or allow it to expire with no follow-up by the carrier. Other states require a vehicle owner must surrender the tag immediately if a policy is canceled or allowed to lapse.
Two: There are many people driving with a less than clear record. One more hit may cost them their license and maybe a lawsuit. We live in a litigious society with countless attorneys that advertise, “You don’t pay unless we win you collect”. Many people living from paycheck-to-paycheck see an accident as an opportunity win the lottery without even having to purchase a ticket. Even should a defendant win the suit, they may incur unexpected legal fees for their defense unlike the. In South Africa, for example, if the plaintiff loses, party one is responsible for the defendant’s legal fees. That stops the vast majority of frivolous lawsuits.
Third, most law enforcement agencies policies prohibit their officers from chasing a car escaping from a crash. It is simply not worth the liability and possibility other crashes during that pursuit. Without witnesses who have a full description of the perpetrator, the license number of the vehicle involved and is willing to come forward and testify in a trial, there is just too low a chance of a conviction. With the “Snitches get stitches” mentality or witnesses being too busy to get involved, law enforcement hands are tied. The decreased chance of being caught increases the likelihood that an at-fault driver will take the chance to leave the scene to escape responsibility of their actions.
Luckily, in this case, there were witnesses that took the responsibility to render aid and become involved. They provided law enforcement with a good description of the vehicle and its direction of travel. Thank you all.
Sherry Epley says
How very tragic! This kind of accident happens all too often in our community! I pray that the victim has a full recovery and I feel sorrow for the needless pain and suffering.
Even more disturbing, however, is that another human being left the scene . . . left the victim. . . tried to leave the responsibilities for his actions. . . how despicable, how disgraceful, how completely unacceptable!
Hit and runs are on the rise across Florida. . . this from the Miami Herald:
Figures released recently by the Florida Highway Patrol show hit-and-runs have been on the rise over the last four years. In 2013, there were 78,661 hit-and-run crashes in the state. In 2014, there were 85,241; in 2015, 94,456; in 2016, 99,004.
We clearly have reached the wretched point in our society where there are more and more people in our community who clearly do not respect and care for other human beings. . . or respect themselves enough to “Do The Right Thing”! Our very humanity seems to be spiraling down into the “HELL” of “HATE”. . . first of one’s self , and then of other humans. How very sad and pitiful for us all!
r&r says
That’s stupid remark. Republicans are being blamed for this ????????
Wondering... says
I wasn’t there, I didn’t witness it. My question is, did the cyclist have the walk or stop at the crosswalk? If the light on Belle Terre was green (which I am assuming since nothing is said about the driver running a red light), then the cyclist was crossing against the stop for the cross walk. I am not saying that the driver bears no responsiblity (he should not have left the scene regardless of fault), I am saying that the cyclist bears part of the blame also. I see people crossing busy roads all the time, against the walk/don’t walk signal. If pedestrians and cyclists aren’t going to pay attention to them, why waste the money putting them up?
Geezer says
Sherry Epley:
“We clearly have reached the wretched point in our society where there are more and more people in our community who clearly do not respect and care for other human beings”
Sherry, we passed that sign-post a long time ago. It’s every man (and woman) for themselves when you
get right down to it. Picture the day when there’s a water shortage, then picture the hoarders at Walmart,
re-selling a gallon of water at 100.00 after the supply is exhausted. Picture the people being killed because
Joe Blow wants that last gallon for himself or his family. Joe Blow will run you down or shoot you if you get
in his way.
The mentality on the road is that bicyclists are a nuisance, and the road belongs to drivers only. That’s why I gave up riding a bicycle where there’s cars. I got tired of being buzzed and fighting with the assholes on the road.
I learned that it makes no difference if you’re following the rules of the road because the motorist feels as if he takes precedence over you. You are after all, limited to much slower speeds, and everybody is in a hurry to go nowhere. Reality really does bite.
Factor in the amount of people concentrated in Flagler County and the incidents mount exponentially.
But I wish everyone thought like you–life would be nicer all around. There are some considerate and compassionate people left, but their numbers go down every day it seems. They are definitely the minority.
I hope that Kerry Lee makes a full and speedy recovery.
I also hope that “Mr. Hit n’ Run” gets his due.
I wish you a Happy Mothers Day.
Anonymous says
Everyone needs to pay attention we don’t need more traffic signals and crosswalks we need more common sense!
anonymous says
Step 1 – calm down, as we barely know the facts of the case
Step 2 – keep your politics at home as this is not a democrat nor republican issue
Step 3 – wish the bicyclist a speedy recovery
Step 4 – let the police do their job and figure out what happened and what and or who is at fault
Step 5 – slow down and look twice at each intersection to avoid any future issues with bicycles, motorcycles, and or other cars.
*drops the mic*
woodchuck says
A- Trump is to blame for everthing and or Republicans.
B-You can’t fix STUPID
Anonymous says
I live by the Royal Palms bike trail. At least once a day a see a cyclist cross the road be for the signal tells them it’s safe. I have even see adults not stop at the road and just go across like the drivers should yield for them. It’s not always the drivers fault. Everyone needs to be aware of each other and what is going on around you both drivers and cyclists. What ever happen to enforcing the text while driving law? Did you know Florida passed it like years ago? Why is it not being enforced? Where are the deputies? I rarely see them enforcing the speed limit. Belle Terre is like a expressway. If more people got pulled over for driving like idiots maybe the roads would be a safer place. How about it Sheriff?
Denali says
A Concerned Observer wrote:
One: There are many drivers here that drive with no insurance. Yes, that is illegal but in Florida, unlike some other states I am familiar with, there is no communication to the Florida DMV from auto insurance carriers when a policy is canceled with no other new policy to take its place. Once a license plate is issued with proof of insurance, the insured party can stop paying for the policy or allow it to expire with no follow-up by the carrier. Other states require a vehicle owner must surrender the tag immediately if a policy is canceled or allowed to lapse.
CONCERNED – beg to differ with you, when recently placing my wife’s collector car back into ‘storage mode’ (which retains coverage for loss and damage but no liability, collision and whatnot as the car will not be driver for a period of time) a clerk at our insurance agents office inadvertently checked the box that she was canceling her coverage. Within 96 hours we had a letter from DMV that my wife’s license was being suspended. So at least one carrier has a direct line to the DMV! Names withheld to protect the guilty!
gmath55 says
@ A Concerned Observer you are wrong about the first statement.
What if I fail to keep insurance on my vehicle that I have registered in Florida?
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is authorized to suspend your driving privilege and registrations. You must have Florida insurance and maintain continuous coverage throughout the registration period. To avoid a suspension, you must surrender the vehicle’s license plate and registration at any Florida driver license or Tax Collector office before you cancel your insurance policy.
http://fdhsmv.rapidinsites.com/answer/cancelled-insurance
How do I notify your department or update my current FLORIDA insurance information with you? And what is the required minimum coverage?
Florida’s no-fault insurance law requires vehicle owners to carry at least $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL). All licensed insurance companies in FLORIDA are required to electronically report to DHSMV when Florida policies providing PIP coverage are issued or cancelled. Unless our agency has sent you a notice to provide us with insurance information, you will not be able to update your Florida insurance information.
http://fdhsmv.rapidinsites.com/answer/notify-dhsmv-my-current-auto-insurance
Do I need to turn in my license plate/tag?
If you are cancelling insurance coverage on your vehicle, then you must surrender the license plate/tag and registration to any Florida County Tax Collector’s office. If you no longer own the vehicle, such as you have sold the vehicle, unless you are transferring that tag to another vehicle you have purchased, then you must surrender the tag/plate and registration. Please mail OR take the license plate and registration to any Florida county tax collector’s office or license plate agency. The office can provide you with a receipt verifying the registration has been cancelled.
If you are in Florida and received a letter from our department regarding insurance cancellation and you want to surrender your license plate to avoid your driving privilege from being suspended, please take the license plate and registration to any driver license office or county office that offers driver licensing services. If you go to a county office that does not offer driver licensing services, you will need to take the receipt you get from the tax collector’s office to the driver license office to avoid your license from being suspended. If you are currently out of state, please mail the letter, Florida license plate and registration to the Division of Motorist Services, 2900 Apalachee Pkwy, Mail Stop 98, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500 and request the registration be cancelled to avoid your driver license from being suspended. If you only have the plate, include a note indicating you no longer have the registration in your possession
http://fdhsmv.rapidinsites.com/answer/turn-surrender-florida-license-platetag
Concerned Citizen says
I imagine there might be enough blame to go around here.
The driver was wrong for hitting the cyclist in the first place and double wrong for leaving the scene. If you screw up own up to it and take responsibility. If you don’t and get caught then double the punishment.
What I’m about to say is going to make people mad. I’m not saying this is what happened here but this is what I see on a daily basis.
I have seen time and time again numerous cyclists and pedestrians clearly violate a right away. Dozens of times a cyclist will scoot across Palm Coast Parkway and Cypress Point without having the light.
They don’t dismount and walk and they expect people to stop as they approach the intersection with a GREEN LIGHT!!
In Palm Coast and Flagler Beach (especially along A1A) I see pedestrians dart out into traffic. I know we all want to go to the beach but is it worth getting killed over?
Don’t think you have that extra second and misjudge a car. Especially if you have kids, beach furniture and animals in tow.
Same goes for in-town cross walks. If the pedestrian light isn’t white DON”T GO!! It’s as simple as that. Why should you ruin someone Else’s life because you didn’t want to wait?
Don’t try to run across 4 lanes of traffic and expect cars to stop for you. It might not work out that way and it could have all been avoided in the first place.
Vehicle drivers have rules of the road to flow and we should be held accountable when we don’t. Cyclists and pedestrians have rules of the road to follow and same should go for them as well.
Drivers: Stop driving distracted and reckless. And cut back on the aggressive driving as well. That few minutes tailgating someone or cutting them off isn’t going to help you get to your destination on time with a late start. A lack of planning on your part doesn’t constitute an emergency on mine.
Cyclist and pedestrians: Obey the rules of the road and do what you are supposed to. Just because you have the right away doesn’t mean you have to exercise it all the time. A little common sense and respect might keep you from having a bad day.
If we all slowed down and respected one another maybe things might start to change. It’s not about more lights or law enforcement doing something. It’s about personal accountability and doing what’s right.
Sorry for the rant but it gets old seeing reports in the local media like these. Almost every time something could have been avoided. Accidents do happen but we can minimize them
Sw says
The driver’s name was added to the story on Sunday. ~FL
So have they ID’D the driver or not
Richard Smith says
When I first read the details of this story it did not make ANY sense to me at all as to how the bicyclist got hit in the first place at that intersection. Well after reading what an EYE witness saw while he was at the scene, it now makes perfect sense to me. The bicyclist was breaking the law. I hope that he recovers completely and when riding in the future will change his ways by obeying the rules and laws of the road.
Way too many bicyclist break the laws when both riding in the road and on the sidewalk. If you want to stay alive then first learn the laws and follow them. Don’t blame others for your stupidity.
Hmmm says
@Laura Gollon…..What’s needs to be fixed about this intersection? It looks like the rest of them. Everytime something happens, city and county officials are blamed. I dont see anyone crying about lighting this time!!!! Time to blame ourselves, the residents. Its is obviously one of their faults. You either know the rules and laws of the road, or you don’t? And dont ever automatically assume you are seen or someone will stop for you. It will save your life.
Anonymous says
I came upon this accident immediate after. The ambulance and police had not arrived. At that time the driver of the truck was at the scene and out of his truck with the others assisting the cyclist. I’m not sure what happened after that but I think it would be nice if people held judgement when they don’t know the facts.
Alphonso Zeimers says
The guy broke the law. Tough bananas.
Lazaruis says
Besides this not being a political situation , we don’t know what happened .
And yes there are a lot of cyclists and pedestrians not following the law . I have seen many cyclists and pedestrians cross the street and intersections in a dangerous manner .
I think we need to know all the facts here before placing blame on either one .
I hope he makes a full recovery .
Richard Smith says
@Lazaruis – There have been at least two eye witnesses that were at the scene exactly when it happened and both stated that vehicles had the right of way AKA green lights, which means that the bicyclist did not the right of way and was breaking the law. Second and most important was that the truck driver stopped and got out to check on the bicyclist which means it was NOT a hit & run incident.
Yes, I agree that there is MORE information needed to explain the entire story and situation but we most likely won’t read about it here. And then again will it be true facts or more Fake News.
FlaglerLive says
Mr. Smith,
First, the article does not make a determination as to whether a right of way was violated or not. Second, whether the driver stopped or did not stop before driving on is irrelevant. A driver per Florida law must stop and remain at the scene of a crash when that driver is involved in the crash. In 2012, when Jemesine Fischer struck Francoise Pecqueur on Columbia Lane in Palm Coast, she at first stopped at the scene and even spoke to paramedics (and misled them) then drove on. Her confusion or lack of knowledge of the law was not a defense. She served two years in prison. (Pecqueur later died.) Third, you are on this site about a half dozen times a day, yet you imply in your comment, not for the first time, that this is fake news. Consider yourself banned from the comment section for a month. Though your chronically misleading, nonsensical and absurd comments have been given ample latitude here (at least those that get approved: readers should know that innumerable of your more effluent comments are held back), we do not tolerate the gratuitous dissemination of falsehoods, let alone from asses who don’t know fake from kafta. Same goes for anyone tiresome enough to try the same line here. This isn’t your Fox-pen.
Geezer says
Now I MUST try some kafta, per the recipe so thoughtfully provided.
While I enjoy that bit of Lebanese fare, I’ll have a good laugh associating
the skewers used with the kabobs with the ill-conceived comment which
prompted Mr. Pierre to bring this dish to our attention.
Foods and odors are powerful memory triggers.
Every time I eat an amaretto cookie, I am reminded of a nun who used
to hit me as a little boy, and my own well-planned “D” Day, when I bit her
arm as hard as I could. No more Catholic School after that rabid display!!!
Now kafka kabobs will remind me of ill-spoken people being skewered.
“Misty water-colored memories, of the way we were….”
–James Brolin’s wife
Anonymous says
FlaglerLive says:
May 16, 2017 at 11:04 am
Mr. Smith,
First, the article does not make a determination as to whether a right of way was violated or not. Second, whether the driver stopped or did not stop before driving on is irrelevant. A driver per Florida law must stop and remain at the scene of a crash when that driver is involved in the crash. In 2012, when Jemesine Fischer struck Francoise Pecqueur on Columbia Lane in Palm Coast, she at first stopped at the scene and even spoke to paramedics (and misled them) then drove on. Her confusion or lack of knowledge of the law was not a defense.
True ones confusion or lack of knowledge of the law only applies to politicians.