A routine Friday morning on New Smyrna Beach's south side turned serious when a city public works vehicle struck two pedestrians at the intersection of 27th Avenue and South Atlantic Avenue, officials said. A man was airlifted to a hospital with critical injuries, and a woman was taken to a hospital with serious but stable injuries. The driver, a city public works employee, stayed at the scene while the Florida Highway Patrol launched an investigation.
According to ClickOrlando, troopers said the city vehicle, a 2018 Ford F-250 traveling eastbound on E. 27th Avenue, tried to make a left turn to go northbound on S. Atlantic Avenue, failed to yield, and hit two people walking westbound in a marked crosswalk. The Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver as a 23-year-old Oak Hill man who was not injured and remained on scene. The male pedestrian was airlifted with critical injuries, and the female pedestrian was transported with serious injuries and remained in stable condition.
Where It Happened
The crash unfolded at 27th Avenue and South Atlantic Avenue, a busy beachside corridor where pedestrians and vehicles regularly compete for space. A 2012 pedestrian safety study prepared for the River to Sea TPO flagged recurring concerns along South Atlantic Avenue, including long crossing distances, vehicle speeds, and roadside geometry, and recommended signal and crosswalk upgrades throughout the corridor.
City Response And Investigation
In a statement to ClickOrlando, New Smyrna Beach officials said the city is cooperating fully with the Florida Highway Patrol as troopers investigate the collision. The city's public works department, which operates the vehicle fleet involved, lists its maintenance operations at 124 Industrial Park Avenue, according to the City of New Smyrna Beach.
What To Expect
Florida Highway Patrol crash investigations typically involve detailed scene measurements, witness interviews, and a review of whether any traffic laws were violated. As of Friday afternoon, authorities had not announced any charges in connection with the crash. Troopers are expected to release more details once the preliminary crash report is finished, and officials said they plan to update the public as new information comes in.
Residents and visitors who frequent this stretch of the beachfront corridor say they hope the investigation prompts a fresh look at crossing controls near 27th Avenue. Anyone who has video or information about the collision is urged to contact the Florida Highway Patrol or the New Smyrna Beach Police Department.
