Stephen C. Newberry, a 25-year-old resident of Palm Coast, was killed Saturday morning as he rode his motorcycle on U.S. 1 just north of the Flagler-St. Johns County line, when an elderly driver broke his right of way.
Newberry was riding north on the inside lane of U.S. 1 at 7:30 Saturday morning. Bonnie Jean Peterson, an 85-year-old resident of Murfreesboro, Tenn., was driving a 2012 GMC Envoy, an SUV. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Peterson was stationary at a driveway access road. She then attempted to cross U.S. 1 westbound, to make it into the paved median.
Newberry overtuend and slid. The SUV’s front struck the motorcycle’s lower-left side. Newberry was wearing a helmet. Peterson was not injured.
Charges, likely a violation of right of way, are pending against Peterson.
According to his LinkedIn account, Newberry was employed as a technician at Coggin Honda of St. Augustine and had attended AWC School of Ministry.
confidential says
Another crime by right of way violation.
So sad the loss of such a young life.
Mary Cannady says
Too sad. A very dangerous intersection. Limit is 55 mph but many do not slow down. When are you too ok’d to drive? I just picture my 86 year old mother behind the wheel.
Really? says
I know its not Flager County, but there are way too many crashes at that location. Be careful driving that way.
Concerned Motorcycle Rider says
Stephen,
As an avid motorcycle rider, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family for you to be taken from this world so soon. I hate that area of US1 and always fear for my safety when riding there. May you rest is peace and continue to ride the golden streets above!
Genie says
I am so sorry for these families. It is highly likely that Ms. Peterson should not be driving. Her vision and her reaction time would be greatly diminished.
jim says
I saw the aftermath of this crash yesterday morning and I am getting VERY tired of reading about these poor motorcycle riders getting KILLED by OLD people WHO SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING. WAY PAST TIME to start MANDATORY testing for anyone OVER 70 to keep their driver’s license NATION WIDE, and have them bear the cost of testing if they don’t want to pay… then GIVE UP YOUR LICENSE and KEYS. These are PREVENTABLE tragedies.!!!!
Mike says
What a shame, sorry but this should be vehicular manslaughter, her license should be revoked also
Ron Newberry says
I am Stephen’s dad. It has been almost four months and they have not charged her with anything yet. He was wearing his helmet, traveling the speed limit with lights on. His toxicology report was negative. He was doing everything right, just going to work that morning. The 85 year old perpetrator exited the “do not enter” marked entrance of the gas station and then proceeded to make an illegal left hand turn from the right hand lane of highway 1 across the left lane into the median so she could make a u turn thus ending my son’s life. Her comment to the police was concern over her vehicle’s damage and whether she could proceed on her trip back to Tennessee. My son was studying to be a missionary. My wife, his sister and I will forever grieve his loss.
Rob Molitor says
Walking on the beach in Palm Coast this morning (11/27/21) I found some dog-tags with the name Stephen C Newberry in the sand. This website was the only one that came up on Google with that name – did they belong to this Stephen?