Jorge Salinas, Flagler County’s deputy county administrator, died in a “horrific crash,” the county announced in a press release Monday afternoon, Oct. 6.
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Migdalisis Garcia confrimed in an email to The News-Journal that Salinas was one of three fatal victims of an Interstate 4 hit-and-run crash on Saturday night, Oct. 4, near DeBary Avenue in Volusia County.
According to the county’s press release, Salinas’ wife also died in the crash.
County Administrator Heidi Petitio said Salinas was a “very strong partner in leading Flagler County.”
“I can’t even imagine the depth of his loss to our community or the pain his children and family must feel,” Petito said in the press release. “He is already missed.”
Members of the Flagler County Commission also reacted to the news.
Chair Andy Dance said “a significant void has been created in our Flagler County community.”
“I am very saddened,” Dance said in the release. “He was a trusted and respected member of the leadership team. My heart goes out to his children and family. Thank you, Jorge, for your service to us and your country.”
Vice Chair Leann Pennington wrote on Facebook she is “devastated to learn of Jorge’s and his wife’s sudden passing.”
“Jorge was a hardworking and dedicated colleague, admired for his commitment and kindness,” Pennington wrote. “He was loved by all who were fortunate to work alongside him, and his presence will be deeply missed.”
Hit-and-run crash kills Flagler deputy county administrator, wife
The crash that claimed the lives of Salinas, his wife, and a 54-year-old Deltona man, happened just before 10 p.m. on Oct. 4.
Florida Highway Patrol is still looking for the driver of a 2025 Dodge Durango that was traveling eastbound on I-4, east of DeBary Avenue, when he or she shifted from the center lane to the inside lane in the direct path of a sedan driven by a 47-year-old woman from Deltona.
The Durango struck the right side of the sedan, causing a chain reaction that led to the death of a man riding a 2001 Suzuki motorcycle. The sedan ran off the road to the left, collided with a guardrail, reentered the eastbound traffic lane, and struck an SUV, which killed Salinas and his wife.
The Durango was later located by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in a parking lot with damage consistent with a collision.
According to Garcia, the crash remains an active criminal investigation. FHP is asking anyone with information about the crash to call *347 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Jorge Salinas, Flagler’s deputy county administrator, dies in ‘horrific’ hit-and-run
Reporting by Brenno Carillo and John Dunbar, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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