Between 2020 and 2024, 478 people were killed and 2,099 were seriously injured on Brevard County roads — tragedies that ripple throughout families and neighborhoods. These are not just numbers; they represent stories cut short, families shattered, and futures stolen.
Traffic violence doesn't just affect those involved in the crash; it ripples through homes, families, and communities. Let us honor those lives lost by carrying on their story and doing our part to get to zero.
Scroll to read their stories.
Any views or opinions expressed in the content below are solely those of the submitting author and do not represent official policy or endorsement from the Space Coast TPO.
Alec Beauseigneur-Jimenez (Crash Date: 1/04/2021)
"My beautiful son was riding his motorcycle home in Palm Bay on Malabar Road when tragedy struck. A driver pulling out of a gas station crossed three lanes of traffic and into my son’s right of way. Alec struck her driver’s side door and was ejected from his bike. He died on the roadway that night.
The driver was unharmed and said she didn’t see him. But that night, our lives changed forever. There are no words to truly express how deeply Alec is missed, or how fiercely he is loved. His light, his laughter, and his spirit live on in all who knew him and he will be loved forever."
Mary Broderick (Crash Date: 10/20/2021)
We honor the life of Mary Broderick, whose vibrant spirit was tragically taken from us in a pedestrian crash caused by an inattentive driver. The impact of her loss is deeply felt by her husband, children, grandchildren, and other family members who now navigate life without her presence.
Traffic crashes have lasting consequences, and Mary's story reminds us of the importance of staying focused on the road to ensure the safety of all community members.
Zach Caufield (Crash Date: 1/1/2019)
"Zach was a loving son, a caring and compassionate brother, and a grandson, cousin, and nephew that made his family proud. His smile lit up the room, and his laughter brightened everyone’s day. He loved the outdoors. It was never too early or too late to go fishing. When he was four-wheeling, the more mud he could get on his tires, the more fun he had.
He loved family campouts, fishing, kayaking with his family, or sitting around the campfire sharing stories and laughter. He had a kind and gentle spirit. He was a stranger to no one and could be counted on to help anyone in need."
Susan Connolly (11/13/2025)
Susan Connolly, 76, passed away on Thursday morning, November 13, 2025 after being involved in a car crash a week earlier that left her paralyzed from the neck down.
Susan was a thoughtful, dedicated, and much-loved community activist in Palm Bay, where she served for several years on the Sustainability Advisory Board, and frequently spoke at city council meetings. She was an advocate for many other important causes in Brevard County, and her loss will be deeply felt for years to come.
John Ryan Crocker (Crash Date: 12/19/2014)
"To my brother forever 32. I will forever treasure our childhood memories. You were not only my brother but my best friend as well. Until I see you again, I will keep you in my heart."
Lee Cunningham (Crash Date: 7/10/2025)
"Lee was a young and active 77. An avid bicyclist, his happy place was on his bike. Clocking between 7,500 and 10,000 miles every year for each of the last 20 plus years Lee rode in the hottest of days in the Florida sunshine, the rain, and even the snow when he lived in Georgia for a short time. It was a true passion for Lee and, like many other avid riders, his most prized possessions were always his bikes and a constant fascination with new cycling technology.
Sadly, Lee was tragically killed when hit by an automobile on July 10th in Melbourne, Florida. Always diligent, he was of course wearing a helmet when he was struck by a car. Lee suffered a traumatic brain injury. According to the trauma surgeon, regardless of his age, a twenty year old would not have survived the injuries. Lee died doing what he loved, riding his bike. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and the bicycling community. Help fight for safer infrastructure - Every rider matters, Lee mattered!"
Jason Esposito (Crash Date: 5/28/2018)
"Jay’s mother described him as a “big bear” of a man, who had a wonderful smile, an infectious laugh, and warm hugs that his family painfully misses. He was a loving son, an adored brother, an incomparable uncle, a great uncle, and a good friend. If you needed help moving he was the friend you'd call.
Jason loved baseball, football, and cycling. After college, he traveled out west, where fought forest fires in Oregon and California. When that season was over, he drove a coach line bus through the rugged snowy mountains for a while.
After traveling, he settled down and went to law school. Jay's favorite thing to do was being with family, just sitting around talking and making others laugh. He loved Star Wars and Star Trek, he even took his nephew to every midnight Star Wars Premiere."
Dr. Megan Grace (Crash Date: 10/18/2022)
"Megan Grace had the best time management skills of any human I have ever known. She could fit 48 hours worth of work into 24 hours seamlessly at least to those of us around her. Which explains why she was able to obtain her PHD in occupational therapy and all the states except 11 and several countries by the time she was 25 years old. She was working 3 jobs and just bought her first home.
Megan’s motto was “We are all born with the ability to change someone’s life. Don’t ever waste it”. And she always started each and every morning with “Today Is A Good Day For A Good Day”. We love and miss her so much…Until we meet again."
Rikki Grace (Crash Date: 10/18/2022)
"Rikki was a bright and compassionate soul with a servant's heart. She dedicated much of her life to caring for others-volunteering at local animal shelters and mentoring young girls, where her kindness and encouragement made a lasting impact. She found joy in movement and stillness alike, whether running 5K's, practicing yoga, meditating, or getting lost in a good book.
Driven and self-motivated, Rikki pushed herself to grow and dream bigger. She embraced holistic living and cared for her mind, body, and spirit with intention. Her determination led her to work multiple jobs to save for her first home, which she proudly purchased at just 25 years old.
Rikki's life was heartbreakingly cut short-alongside her friend Megan-due to the actions of a drunk and impaired driver during a Fun Run in Melbourne. Though her time here ended far too soon, the love she gave continues to inspire all who knew her.
Her legacy lives on, as she was Made for More. Forever remembered. Forever loved."
Survivor Story: Jesse Hall (Crash Date: 7/28/2023)
"I was hit from behind on a Thursday morning at 6:15 AM. I had reflection devices and an active light with a irregular pattern that could be seen from a mile away. Although FHP, who responded on the scene, did not cite the driver, I believe it was a malicious event. When you say you didn’t see somebody who, while on a bike is roughly, the same height as them walking with a red bright beacon that Pineda has many overpasses that give you a very clear line of sight ahead of you. I can’t believe the drivers testimony that I was not seen.
After a week in ICU and two weeks learning how to get ambulatory in a rehabilitation hospital, I spent another 90 days using a walker and a thoracic brace for my fractured pelvis and fractured vertebrae. To this day, I have long-term neuropathy, back pain, hip pain, and many scars from my elbows to my knees and forehead.
Pineda has plenty of signs that caution drivers that cyclist will be sharing the road. There were very few cars on the road that morning and that’s why I chose to start my bike ride at 5:30 am. I was on mile 20 of a 25 mile ride, almost finished and not very far from where I live.
I was on the very extreme of the right hand lane, pretty much riding the painted stripe where I am lawfully allowed to be. It’s not hard to move around me, and I know I was seen because I had other drivers pass me and give a gentle honk to acknowledge me as they passed. If the driver was distracted, they should have received more of a consequence than being able to drive away after sending somebody to the hospital."
Danielle Heggarty (Crash Date: 12/8/2009)
Danielle’s sister shares these beautiful words:
"My sister, how time has passed so slow yet so fast. Without you life has no meaning. I miss you beyond anything I could ever imagine. Your my best friend and my sister and I wish you was here to share this life together. One day we will be together again and I’ll never let you go. Forever 21 Forever my sister xx"
Laura Hoeft (Crash Date: 10/17/04) 
"Laura was a beautiful souls with a huge heart. In 2004 I moved to Florida, alone at 18 for the first time. I met Laura and we instantly became best friends. It was like we had known each other forever. She was the happiest most fun person I had ever known.
Laura was hit by a car on A1A in satellite beach just 2 days shy of her 18th birthday. She is missed everyday by her family and friends and will always be remembered for her outgoing and compassionate personality."
Timothy David John Hunt (7/30/2025) 
"Timothy David John Hunt, 69 of Indialantic, Florida passed away July 30, 2025 as a result of injuries sustained when hit by a car as he was crossing A1A in Indialantic. Tim was a soft spoken, quiet man who did not feel the need for excessive conversation. His compassion for others was evident in the way he lived his life, and his belief that you need to give others the benefit of the doubt, not knowing what their circumstances might be.
Tim was an inspiration encouraging others through his own example to be a better person, a better listener and to make positive connections with friends, family and most importantly with those who we don't know but often interact with in our daily lives. Tim was a special individual who was respected by his colleagues, his family and loved by his wife and of course by Charlotte, his Border Collie."
Amber Kelso (Crash Date: 1/18/2021)
"Amber loved her son, Conner, dearly. She loved her parents, and siblings, and was especially close to her brother, Jayson, who was with her when she died. She was a free spirit who loved driving trucks and motorcycles, listening to country music, fishing, and playing the piano.
Amber traveled throughout the United States many times and never tired of the beauty in nature – the mountains and oceans. Her nickname was “tree frog.” Amber was an adventurous, free spirit and loved being with like-minded people. She loved to laugh and could easily make others laugh. Those whom she loved, she loved without reservation."
Mary Kathryn Otto-Mennicke (Crash Date: 6/15/2020)
"Mary loved Jesus, first and foremost. She also loved music (she was a classical musician), her dogs (she trained therapy dogs), her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and nature - especially butterflies and flowers.
She would want people to feel peace - the kind you receive from God's grace, and know that she is at peace in Christ. She always said she was ready to go to heaven whenever Christ called her home. She would want others to know the peace that comes from knowing God.
Mary once reminded me that nowhere in the bible does it say, "God helps those who help themselves." From that I gathered we are to help others, selflessly, even when they cannot, or do not, choose to improve their situation. Mary would want to be remembered for her faith, her music, and her love for animals and others."
Dylan Merrill (Crash Date: 8/1/2020) 
"Forever 22, Dylan was a radiant light in our lives—full of laughter, adventure, and joy. He loved deeply and was deeply loved in return. His spirit, kindness, and smile touched everyone who knew him.
His presence lives on in our hearts every single day. We carry his memory with us, honoring the beautiful soul he was and the love he gave so freely."
Scott Mitchell (Crash Date: 7/1/2023)
Scott was a fiancé and a father of two beautiful girls, Lily Mitchell and Ivy. He was also a soon-to-be stepfather who raised two young boys, Gemini and Leslie. Scott loved his family deeply, and holidays were a special time for them to gather—his brother, his wife, nephews, and extended family shared days filled with laughter, food, and heartfelt conversations.
Scott had a passion for the 9-ball APA pool league, where he poured his heart into the game. He and his fiancé, Audrey, shared special moments at Old Town watching classic car shows, being big kids at Fun Spot, and indulging in their favorite food trucks. Riding on the bike brought us joy, and Scott, always safety-conscious, ensured we rode with proper gear.Scott was outgoing, loved life, enjoyed hanging out with friends, and dreaming about the future.
From his fiancé, Audrey: “Life feels lonely now, and every night, I find myself crying next to his pillow. Visiting his crash site weekly, I clean up, pray, and ask him to watch over everyone on this crazy highway.
Scott Alan Mitchell is dearly missed by his family—parents Becky and Michael Mitchell, brother Sean Mitchell, and numerous relatives, as well as my own kids. Our dreams of marriage and a first house together are now memories I deeply love and miss."
Elan "Izi" Mulchandani (Crash Date: 12/11/2024)
"On December 11, 2024, our 22 year old son Elan “Izi” Mulchandani was taking his usual route to work. As he waited in traffic to take his exit off I-95 near Eau Gallie, he was rear ended by a tractor trailer and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Izi’s brother, family and friends described him as compassionate, witty, hard working and intelligent. His smile lit up every room. We miss him every day."
Rusty Rhome (Crash Date: 5/9/2020)
Avid bicyclist and roller skater extraordinaire.
Matt Romeyn (Crash Date: 8/17/2022)
Matt Romeyn was killed in a car crash on Merritt Island in 2022 when another driver ran a red light and hit Matt's car. Matt died at the scene. He was 38.
"I guess I never understood when people talked about the physical aspect of heartbreak," said Matt’s wife, Danica. "But it hurts physically. It hurts emotionally... you're broken. My body was already broken but then to break my spirit . . . Matt was my partner. The love of my life. We adventured together; were raising a family together. We dreamed together . . . you not only lose your partner, you lose your dreams."
Looking back, Danica tells the kind of meet-cute story you'd see in a rom-com, one about people who geeked out over shared interests; who were just friends when on Feb. 14, 2013, they decided to attend a "Singles Awareness Day" event together — and wound up falling in love. "We'd sit on a porch and drink our coffee, and talk about how to change the way we travel in space," said Danica.
"He was going to change the world, you know, in all the little ways that we can. People don't think about all that kind of stuff on a regular basis, but that's where his mind was. And it was just amazing."
Jason Strandberg (Crash Date: 1/1/2020)
Jason enjoyed hanging out with his friends and family. He had a heart of gold and would take the shirt off his back, if you needed it, or would give you the last dollar in his pocket. He helped many of his friends by babysitting their kids and getting them off to school and getting them off the bus at the end of the day.
He was a loyal friend, always making sure his friends stayed safe. Jason was also a caretaker for his mother and was her whole world. His sister said he was "the biggest goofball," standing 6.7 ft. with bright red hair, earning him the nickname "Red." His family misses him every single day.
Seaman Brandon M. Thurber (Crash Date: 11/10/2018)
"According to his mother, Seaman Thurber departed while engaging in what brought him joy—protecting his country and cruising on his motorcycle. He was an incredible sailor and person.
Seaman Thurber's journey was one of selflessness and service, a path he embraced since his early years. Described by his mother as an "old soul in a young body," he dedicated himself to making a difference every day.
His compassionate heart led him to spend precious hours with veterans, ensuring their stories were heard.
He walked through the woods, ensuring that those who served and found themselves without a home had food and support.
Seaman Thurber was an active participant in the Navy Sea Cadet program and a valued member of the American Legion Post 117. As part of the Sons of the Legion, he became the youngest honor guard member—a testament to his commitment."
