In a somber turn of events, a head-on collision in Orange City has resulted in the death of a cyclist and the hospitalization of an elderly driver. The incident took place late Saturday night and involved an electric bicycle and a car, as confirmed by the Orange City Police Department, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando.
The unfortunate accident happened around 8:29 p.m. when a 35-year-old cyclist, Joel Acevedo, traveling westbound on East Graves Avenue was struck by a Hyundai vehicle going in the opposite direction, as detailed by WESH. Complicating matters, it was reported by the police that the Hyundai was traveling in the wrong direction when it collided with the bicycle.
Responders at the scene pronounced Acevedo deceased, while the driver of the Hyundai, identified as 80-year-old Robert David Halpern from Deltona, was taken to the hospital with injuries reported as non-life-threatening. According to police statements, both the bicycle and the car sustained significant damage during the crash.
The circumstances that led to the collision, including the speed at which both the car and bike were traveling, remain under investigation, with authorities asking anyone who might have information to step forward. Traffic Homicide Investigators Sgt. Brian Kibbe or Officer Joshua Hoffman can be contacted at 386-775-9999.
