September 5, 2008
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

WOMAN DIES AFTER DEBARY CAR CRASH

A woman in her early 70’s died following a traffic accident in DeBary Friday afternoon. The accident occurred at approximately 2:53 p.m. at the intersection of S. Charles R. Beall Boulevard and Valencia Road . The woman, who has been identified as Joan Phillips, 72, from DeBary, was a passenger in a 1996 Jeep Cherokee traveling westbound on Valencia Road . As the Jeep approached S. Charles R. Beall Boulevard, the driver, William Smith, 62, from DeBary failed to stop at a stop sign and drove into the path of a 2006 Nissan Altima. The Nissan driven by Pedro Ramos, 21, from Winter Springs struck the Jeep’s driver’s side, sending the Jeep into a nearby parking lot where it hit a concrete planter and then a tree.  

The victim was transported by EVAC ambulance to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach where she was pronounced dead. Smith was also taken by ambulance to Halifax , and Ramos was taken by ambulance to Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City . Both drivers are being treated for non life-threatening injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.