- March 3, 2025
When they saw a car roll into a retention pond near their work, five Flagler County employees rushed to help. What they didn’t know, at first, was that they were coming to the aid of one of their own: Carl Laundrie, the county’s communications manager.
“These guys saved my life, period,” Laundrie said, his voice breaking, when the five employees were honored at the beginning of a Flagler County Board of County Commissioners meeting on the evening of Aug. 19.
Laundrie was driving near the Emergency Operations Center on Aug. 9 when he had a seizure, rolled through a stop sign and into a nearby retention pond. Laundrie did not remember the accident. The next day, he was eating on his own power, and by Sunday, was back to his old self.
His quick recovery — and his return to work about a week after the accident — came largely because of the response time of his rescuers: Nicholas Fey, Rob Gavazzi, Andrew Keppler, Rolf Preuss and Sean Walker.
“The doctors credit these guys for saving my life,” Laundrie said. He said he had a prepared statement that he knew he wouldn’t get through, so instead, he simply thanked his rescuers.
The men were each presented with certificates of recognition. Before the meeting began, Laundrie’s coworkers and friends hugged him.
“Welcome home,” they told him.
Laundrie is a former editor and reporter for the Daytona Beach News-Journal. He is often consulted for historical background on county issues. County commissioners, staff and community members were shaken by his accident, even after his fast recovery.
“It scared us all; there’s no doubt about it,” said County Commissioner George Hanns.
