FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – After a pair of crashes that sent three deputies to the hospital this month, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to avoid distractions and pay attention on the roadways, particularly over the holidays.
According to FCSO, the crashes on Dec. 6 and Dec. 16 both involved distracted drivers hitting deputies while they were on duty. The crashes are still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
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The more serious of the two crashes happened the morning of Dec. 16 on Palm Coast Parkway Northeast. FCSO said Motor Unit Master Deputy Greg Nunziato and Deputy Matthew Mortimer were hit by a vehicle that tried to turn into a gas station from the center lane.
The Sheriff’s Office said both deputies suffered serious injuries but have since been released from the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.
The driver who struck the deputies wasn’t hurt, but both motorcycles were totaled, FCSO said.
Earlier in the month, Deputy Kaleem Chohan was driving his FCSO patrol vehicle north on North Ocean Shore Boulevard when a driver failed to yield while turning south onto N. Ocean Shore Boulevard from Shady Lane North, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Despite trying to avoid the collision, Chohan’s patrol vehicle was hit in the right front by the other driver, causing major damage to the front ends of both cars, FCSO said.
Chohan suffered minor injuries in the Dec. 6 crash and was released from the hospital to return to work.
FCSO said that the other driver complained of head, neck and back pain but refused further treatment beyond being examined by EMS at the scene and opted to walk home.
“Both of these crashes could have had tragic outcomes,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I want to remind everyone to stay alert, keep your eyes on the road, obey all traffic signs and signals, and do not drive distracted. Let’s all do our part to make the last few weeks of 2025 traffic fatality free.”
Statistics show that one in seven crashes in Florida is caused by distracted driving, so Staly warns drivers to stay off their cellphones and focus on the road.
Florida Crash Data from last year showed that distracted driving killed nearly 300 people and injured more than 2,200, and experts say that during the Christmas holiday, distractions while driving typically increase by 40%.
Texting or talking on the phone, eating or drinking, watching Tik-Toks, putting on makeup, adjusting a GPS and tending passengers are all activities that distract drivers from the crucial task of driving safely, the Sheriff warned.
“Nothing on your phone is more important than the lives around you on the road and yours,” added Staly. “In order to see signage, other vehicles, and changing road conditions, you must put your phone down. Distracted driving is like driving drunk, it slows your reaction time and takes your focus away from the road.”
Also, most modern cars allow you to make or accept a phone call by pressing a button on the steering wheel. They’re also equipped with microphones, so you don’t have to pick up your phone to dial a number or to talk to the other person on the line.
It’s also worth mentioning that drunk driving crashes rank high this month compared to any other month of the year.
FCSO said it will increase patrols through the holidays to spot any impaired drivers. Across the country, one person loses their life to impaired driving every 45 minutes.
The Sheriff’s Office said of the 18 fatalities from traffic crashes in Flagler County this year, eight were caused by drivers who were impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.
“Drivers are responsible for their driving behavior and the impact it can have on others on our roadways,” Staly said. “We want everyone in Flagler County to have a joyous and safe holiday.”
While the Sheriff’s Office encouraged everyone to drink responsibly, it also pointed out that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when driving.
While the presumed level of impairment is 0.08% in Florida, DUI is an arrestable offence at any BAC, whether that is impairment from a drink or two or impairment from drug use, FCSO said.
That means everyone who plans to drink should also have a plan to get home safely.