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DAYTONA BEACH, Volusia County, Fla., Oct. 2, 2026 — A 68-year-old Daytona Beach man died on Friday morning, October 2, after being struck by an SUV on International Speedway Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Westbound lanes of the roadway were closed for a time before reopening.
The crash happened around 7 a.m. near General Custer Avenue. A 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was traveling westbound in the outside lane when the man reportedly walked into the road, heading north, according to the FHP report.
Investigators said the man was not in a marked crosswalk and entered the direct path of the SUV. The front of the vehicle struck him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, a 48-year-old Ormond Beach woman, was not hurt and stayed at the scene, according to the report. The crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been announced.
Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
A Common Misconception About Pedestrian Crashes
Many people assume a pedestrian struck outside a crosswalk bears most of the responsibility for a crash, and that drivers have little duty to watch for people crossing mid-block. Investigators look at the full picture instead, including vehicle speed, lighting, visibility, and whether a driver had time to react, regardless of where the person was walking.
Another assumption is that pedestrian deaths mostly come down to the moment of impact between a car and a person crossing against traffic. But a large share of pedestrian deaths nationally involve drivers who strike someone and leave. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 24 percent of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were struck by hit-and-run drivers in 2023.
That figure complicates the idea that pedestrian fatalities are simply a matter of crossing behavior. Whether a driver stays at the scene, as happened in this case, can shape both the emergency response and the investigation that follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents?
Head trauma, broken bones, internal injuries, and spinal damage are typical, since a pedestrian has no protection against a vehicle's impact.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents?
Distracted or impaired driving, failure to yield, low visibility, and pedestrians crossing outside marked crosswalks all contribute to these crashes.
How does vehicle speed affect pedestrian survival?
Survival odds drop sharply as speed increases. Pedestrians struck at higher speeds face a much greater risk of fatal injury than those hit at lower speeds.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen?
Many occur on multi-lane roads and at or near intersections, particularly where lighting is poor or crosswalks are far apart.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Daytona Beach, FL
Anyone involved in or who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 right away and avoid moving an injured person unless there's immediate danger. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation afterward is important, since some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, aren't obvious right away.
Get the names and contact information of any witnesses, and if it's safe to do so, take photos of the scene, including vehicle position, lighting conditions, and any crosswalk or signage nearby. Request a copy of the official crash report once it's available, since it will include details gathered by responding officers. Residents in Daytona Beach dealing with the aftermath of a pedestrian crash should also keep records of any medical visits or related expenses.
