Bicyclist killed while operating in marked travel lane

A 51-year-old Flagler Beach man, who was returning home on his bicycle yesterday afternoon, was struck and killed by the driver of a 2011 Ford Van who says he lost control of his vehicle when he sneezed.

According to the incident report furnished to Historic City News by FHP Traffic Homicide Investigator, Master Corporal Peter G. Young, Fredrick J. Martinez, who resided at 209 South 4th Street Apt A in Flagler Beach, was traveling eastbound on Moody Boulevard in the bicycle lane at about 2:35 p.m.

The Ford van, operated by 32-year-old Robert Little, who resides at 16 Seaflower Path in Palm Coast, also eastbound, drifted into the marked bicycle lane of SR-100, about 1/10th of a mile east of Old Kings Road in Palm Coast.

Little struck the rear of the bicycle with its right front bumper, causing about $5,000 in damages to the van and ejecting Martinez from his bicycle, Trooper Young determined.

At the scene, the investigation also revealed that Little was traveling alone and wearing his seatbelt; alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash; however, charges against Little are pending the results of the medical examiner’s post mortem investigation.