Crash in neighboring New Smyrna Beach draws attention to a busy beach-access intersection

Two pedestrians were hospitalized after being struck in a marked crosswalk at East 27th Avenue and South Atlantic Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, according to reporting from ClickOrlando and information from the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash happened Friday morning and involved a City of New Smyrna Beach Public Works employee driving a 2019 Ford F-250.

Investigators said the truck was traveling eastbound on 27th Avenue and attempted a left turn to head north on South Atlantic Avenue. Troopers said the driver failed to yield to two people who were walking westbound in the crosswalk. The driver, identified in the report as a 23-year-old Oak Hill man, was not injured and remained at the scene.

Victims suffered serious injuries

Florida Highway Patrol said the victims were a 70-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman, both from Minnesota. The man was airlifted to the hospital with critical injuries, while the woman was taken by ambulance with serious injuries and was reported to be in stable condition. The city said it is cooperating fully with the state investigation.

For Edgewater readers, the crash is notable not only because it happened in a neighboring city, but also because it occurred at a well-used coastal access point where vehicle, pedestrian and beach traffic regularly mix. Residents from Edgewater frequently travel to New Smyrna Beach for shoreline access, dining and recreation, especially during warmer months and busy weekends.

Why this matters locally

The intersection at 27th Avenue and South Atlantic Avenue serves as a gateway to a popular no-drive beach area. That means drivers can encounter pedestrians, cyclists, golf carts and visitors unfamiliar with local traffic patterns. Incidents like this often renew concerns about visibility, turning movements and the need for extra caution near beach entrances.

While no broader traffic changes were announced in the source report, the crash is a reminder for Edgewater-area drivers heading into New Smyrna Beach to slow down near crosswalks and expect heavier foot traffic around coastal access roads. The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation, and any additional findings or enforcement decisions would likely come through that process.