Two deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were hospitalized after a crash in Palm Coast Tuesday. The two were on agency motorcycles when the crash occurred. Their injuries are non-life-threatening, and both deputies are expected to make a full recovery. “Considering the circumstances, we were very blessed that they were not more seriously hurt,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly in a phone interview Tuesday.
According to initial information released by the FCSO, the incident took place near the intersection of Palm Coast Parkway and Florida Park Drive. The deputies were reportedly hit by a Toyota Avalon near the entry to the Wawa gas station while riding on Palm Coast Parkway.
The two deputies were reportedly in the outside lane of westbound Palm Coast Parkway at the time of the accident. The driver of the Avalon is said to have made an improper lane change striking both motorcycles. One was thrown from his bike, while the other had the bike land on him. Both motorcycles appear to be totaled, according to Staly.
The driver who hit the deputies was cited for the improper lane change, and Sheriff Staly has said that they were charged by Florida Highway Patrol with possession of marijuana under 20 grams and of drug paraphernalia. It’s not yet clear whether they’re suspected of having driven under the influence. That driver was not injured, and was said to have remained on-scene to cooperate with law enforcement.
Matt Mortimer and Greg Nunziato are the two deputies who were hit. Fortunately, their injuries are non-life-threatening. Both men were transported to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, the nearest trauma center to Palm Coast. The extent of the injuries to Mortimer and Nunziato has yet to be confirmed as of Tuesday afternoon. The crash itself took place not long before noon.
Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly and the rest of the FCSO asked the community to keep the two men in their prayers in a social media post early Tuesday afternoon. Florida Highway Patrol is handling the investigation of the crash, and FHP personnel reportedly arrived on-scene about an hour after it took place.
“In the last ten days I’ve had three deputies injured from traffic crashes, and two motorcycles and a car totaled because of drivers not paying attention,” Staly said. “They’ve pulled out in front of our patrol cars, or in this case changing lanes. As the holidays approach I just want to remind the drivers to pay more attention, don’t drive distracted, and provide more time to get where you’re going.”
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
