- January 14, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Chelsea Hawk, a longtime Palm Coast resident and political activist for progressive candidates and causes, died July 18 after she was injured in a July 17 car crash on Interstate 95 in Volusia County. One of her three children is in critical condition.
Hawk, 39, was moving to Daytona Beach with her partner, Jared Upshaw, and their three children when the crash occurred.
Upshaw, 46, was driving south in the family’s minivan near mile marker 268 and tried to exit onto State Road 400, but lost control of the vehicle while making the sharp turn, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
The van left the roadway, struck the sign for mile marker 268, continued onto the grass and plunged into a retention pond, sinking into about 7 or 8 feet of water, according to the report.
Hawk, Upshaw and their 13-year-old daughter were taken to Halifax Medical Center, with Hawk in critical condition and Upshaw in serious condition. The 13-year-old girl was treated for minor injuries and discharged.
The couple’s 12-year-old son and 10-year old son were both airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital. The 12-year-old boy is in critical condition, while the younger son is stable, according to the report.
