A tragic accident on a Palm Beach County road took the life of a 98-year-old man on Monday, prompting his family to call for safer streets and infrastructure. George Fortier was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by 86-year-old George Rullman, as revealed in reports from WPTV and CBS12. The accident occurred when Rullman, driving his 2010 Mercedes GLK 350, collided with Fortier while navigating a curve along Summer Tree Drive.
The family of the slain pedestrian has since voiced concerns over the lack of pedestrian-friendly amenities such as sidewalks in the area. "I think it's a shame there's no sidewalks in these communities," Fortier's daughter, Lisa Buckley, told WPTV. "People are walking on the side of the road the same area were cars come through and when you have a curve or bend in the road, people are vulnerable without a sidewalk." The incident highlights an ongoing issue of pedestrian safety and the need for improved road conditions to accommodate those on foot.
Fortier, a local resident known for his love of being outdoors, was crossing the street to check his mailbox at the time of the incident. Described as having a "great sense of humor" and being "friendly," his death has deeply impacted the Palm Isle community where he was a beloved figure. A veteran of World War II, Fortier had lived in the Boynton Beach area for 25 years, having moved to New York after his military service.
According to CBS12, Fortier was pronounced dead at Delray Medical Center a few hours following the collision. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reported the accident took place at approximately 3:26 p.m., with Fortier succumbing to his injuries by 6:55 p.m. Rullman did not sustain injuries and remained at the scene throughout the ordeal.
Addressing the concerns for public safety, Mario Guzman, the director of public works for the city of Boynton Beach, said, "It's such an unfortunate situation and our hearts go out to the family, we always have safety at the forefront of our projects." The "Drive Safe Boynton" initiative is just one of the measures the city is implementing in response to community concerns over pedestrian safety, Guzman told WPTV. Furthermore, he mentioned that the city had received $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, aimed to improve road infrastructure including paving, adding bike lanes, and widening sidewalks.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has indicated that the crash remains under investigation. A service to commemorate George Fortier is scheduled today as the community mourns the loss of one of its members and calls for action to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
