- March 9, 2025
UPDATED at 4:43 p.m.
Gary Pearson, 53, of Jacksonville, was killed in a 7:38 a.m. crash on March 13, on U.S. 1 at the intersection of Matanzas Woods Parkway, in Palm Coast.
Pearson was driving a 2007 Raptor 300 motorcycle north on U.S. 1 in the inside northbound lane approaching the intersection of Matanzas Woods. A 1991 Pontiac Firebird, driven by Michael J. Diedel, 20, of Palm Coast, with 20-year-old James J. Habersham as passenger, was stopped facing west on Matanzas Woods.
For reasons still under investigation, Diedel entered the intersection directly in the path of Pearson, who applied his rear brakes and "laid it down" on its left side in an attempt to avoid Diedel’s Pontiac, but failed. This caused the undercarriage of the motorcycle to strike the left side of the Pontiac, which ejected Pearson from his motorcycle.
Pearson was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
UPDATED at 10:30 a.m.
The road has been re-opened.
ORIGINAL STORY
Authorities are investigating a fatal crash at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Matanzas Woods Parkway, in Palm Coast, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash, which involved a motorcycle and a car, occurred around 7:42 a.m. Wednesday. Lanes were still blocked as of 10:20 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol’s website.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
