Last Updated: 8:03 p.m.
A van towing an RV flipped on I-95 south of Matanzas Woods Parkway in Palm Coast at 11:45 this morning, resulting in an unknown number of injuries, though firefighters at the scene reported only minor injuries.
The crash closed I-95 southbound from Matanzas Woods. Southbound drivers were advised to exit I-95 at U.S. 1 at the Flagler-St. Johns county line.
Simultaneously, two or three minor crashes took place along the same span in the northbound lanes. The crash took place near mile marker 292.
The van towing a 30-foot RV ended up on its roof, perpendicular to the highway. The trailer was still attached to the van, but was upright by the time the vehicles came to a stop.
William Carthcart, 70, of Stone Harbor, N.J. was at the wheel of the van. with Kathleen Slyne, 64, also of Stone Harbor, as his passenger. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, they were traveling on the outside lane when the rear tire on their 2005 Ford E350 came off, causing the van to veer off the highway. Carthcart corrected, but as he did so the trailer overturned, causing the van to overturn and become airborne before landing on its roof, while the camper landed upright.
Another vehicle was involved: an 85-year-old woman FHP identified only as Loretta, of Palm Coast, was driving a 2001 Toyota Highlander in the center lane directly behind the van and the trailer. The left-front of the van struck the right front of the Toyota as it was airborne, causing minor damage to the Toyota. Loretta was not hurt.
One of the people in the van complained of head pain, but both occupants of the vehicle were walking and talking.
There were two dogs aboard. One of them ran off and was being searched for. It’s a black and white poodle. Animal control has been called in. (At 2 p.m., FlaglerLive learned from an unconfirmed report that the dog was found and was at a local animal hospital.)
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Flagler County Fire Rescue and the Palm Coast Fire Department responded to the crash, as did the Palm Coast Fire Police and DBi, which provides assistance similar to that of the Fire Police. The scene is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Vicki says
Prayers for all involved and I pray that they find the little poodle!
Vickie Vann says
Simple to figure out. Going to fast.
Yep says
It’s best just to stay off of 95 all together unless you absolutely need to. Even around here on Old Kings and Colbert people mostly drive like they are in a high speed pursuit most of the time.
Veteran says
Don’t think that van had the towing capacity of of that 30 Ft RV.
Sue says
Actually, they lost a wheel. But thanks for putting that assumption out there….
Sandra says
Praying for you and your family God Bless.i hope you find your furbaby
Nancy says
There are many other factors then driving to fast!
I was in a similar accident only doing 50 mph. A 30 ft trailer is easily compromised by wind or a large semi passing it. My breaks over heated causing the entire wheel mount, rim & tire to fall off. I jack knifed them rolled. Praying everyone is okay incl the pups!
Bob says
So you just assume they were going to fast. It’s a good thing nobody in Florida cuts anybody off, swerves into someone else’s lane, or causes anybody to react quickly to avoid a collision. So simple.
Heading North says
Hope everyone recovers!
Speaking from another aspect, and as one who has investigated countless crashes over a 38 year career, the driver was towing something that was way way over his vehicles capacity. I have towed everything from utility trailers to driving a semi, and the van shown here was not capable of safely towing that travel trailer.
Glad no one was seriously injured. Speedy recovery to all.
TERRY says
You rekon the missing wheel had anything to do with it?
Crazy drivers says
I agree! Maybe the police and state police should start pulling people over on I-95 going over 75. I had to do 85 coming home tonight so I wouldn’t get run over!
Jackie Wallen says
How can you speculate so ignorantly when you don’t know anything of the accident? I do know the driver and he is not a speeder. In fact he is a very conservative layed back person.
Suzanne Moulton says
Gotta wonder what the van had for a safe towing weight….looks like that trailer was much too big/heavy for that van.
Outsider says
That’s a rather large RV to be towed with a van. A diesel-powered pickup truck is a better, and safer choice.
SANDIE BOCK says
THAT van should NEVER have been towing that long and heavy a trailer, it is not what vans are for!! I am so sorry for the people involved and probably the dealer of each told them it was ok. SHAME SHAME SHAME ON DEALERS IF THEY DID THAT.
Jamie says
So many towing experts here… With a little help from Google, you would find out that that E350 can indeed tow that camper. That rig is a little hard to handle when a wheel comes off. But reading before blasting your opinion is so much work….
Art says
E350 is rated for 10k lbs towing capacity, and so are Chevy Express vans. The van is no different structurally than your regular 2500/3500 pickup truck towing a travel trailer. Similar weight, wheelbase, frame, wheels, axles, brakes, steering. A blown tire on a pickup would cause the same effect. A dually semi-truck towing a 8k lbs trailer would have been better, of course, but that’s hardly a solution.
Dave says
That 2005 E350 has a max towing of 7500 lbs
Mike Olsen says
An E350 van has a towing capacity of 10k lbs. That Outabck 30ft trailer had a gross weight capacity of 9600lbs.
The cause of the crash is clearly the wheel coming off the left rear. If an F350 pickup was pulling the same trailer, the wheel coming off would have a similar result.
My question is whether they were using a sway control hitch…
Unfortunate that the rear wheel came off. Always check your equipment before you tow!
Stone Harbor says
Lordy, people, it’s a hopped-up diesel van with 4wd from Quigley – more than capable of towing that trailer. Lots of “experts” on here.
Todd says
Story said they lost a rear wheel and then lost control of the van. Nothing about speed or anything else. 2 people with probably their whole world tied up in that van and RV are now missing their dog and all their stuff. Read the article.
Richard says
Difficult to drive this van with only three wheels (which is VERY visible in the photo) AND the cause of this tragic accident. Thank GOD no was was seriously injured or killed as a result. Now the real cause as to WHY the right wheel came off the vehicle needs to be determined.
palmcoaster says
How is the poodle doing at a local vet hospital? Was the other dog unhurt? Glad the driver and co. didn’t get seriously hurt.
Joe says
So glad to hear that everyone is ok physically. I pray that there will be no lasting other effects. The pictures show a very horrifying thing happened. Thank you God for keeping them safe. We tow a 29ft RV and it takes a lot of know how, everything the owners did kept them safe.
Hoogy says
That large a van should have the capacity to tow a 30′ trailer, sway bar is a must when towing a trailer behind a van or pickup. they stop that sway, but a wheel came off and there is the issue, not all crashes are preventable, but we have an extraordinary amount of experts here with knowledge backed opinions and that all makes for a good story.
mark101 says
What is ti about Flagler county and I-95 accidents.
SANDRA LEMACKS says
E350 had towing capability; but, may not have had the suspension to handle. Nobody can predict a tire issue or other issues. And if you aren’t set up correctly…..
Vinnie says
Saddest part of this whole mess, beside the lost doggie, is they will have to stay in Palm Coast for a few days. OMG the HORROR !!!!!
Debbie Elert says
I’m a volunteer with Lost Dogs Florida. All of our services are free. Hopefully the owner or a family member sees these tips for how to find a dog who is lost during a car accident. https://lostdogsofamerica.org/tips-for-dogs-lost-from-car-accidents/ They should send the dog’s info here so we can help: http://www.HelpingLostPets.com.
Van Man says
I towed a 30′ travel trailer approx 10k miles from east coast to Montana, etc., with a 3500 Chev Van. Had a WD hitch and upgraded brakes. I was approx 80% of my GCWR. Always tried to keep under 60 mph. I would have never towed with this rig if it couldn’t safely tow the TT. Hopefully, some of you here who jumped to conclusions . . . .
Willy Boy says
I-95 – where 85 is the new 70.
Frosti says
I agree.