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Bicyclist dies in traffic crash Thursday in Putnam County, neighbors worried about speeding

It's unknown if speed was a factor in the crash, but people who live and work nearby say drivers often speed on that stretch of Highway 177

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — In the tiny town of Satsuma in Putnam County, local veggies are abundant at The Stand Produce Stand.

And so are are the fast-moving cars on Highway 17.

"I’ll be honest. It’s scary," Toni Bailey said. She is the general manager at The Stand.

It’s just a half mile from Shady Oak Drive which is a small road where a Nissan Xterra and a bicyclist crashed Thursday, a few minutes before 6 pm, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Few details are available, but according to the FHP report, the bicyclist died. She was 47 years old.

The report does not indicate if speed was a factor in this crash. However, many people who live and work around the area say drivers often speed on 17. 

"Yeah, I could see it happening because that’s 6 p.m. traffic," Bailey said. "People coming home from work."

Then she heard if was a bicyclist who was involved.  Her thoughts went to her customers. "We have several customers who ride bikes. I’m hoping it wasn’t one of our customers and I have lost customers to accidents."

Marcia Calandra is a customer. She says many drivers speed.

"They are flying up behind you and it doesn’t look like you’re going to stop," Calandra said. "It just happened to me pulling in here a little while ago."

There are few, if any, traffic lights on this stretch of Highway 17,  so it was most likely dark around 6 p.m. when the crash happened.  

Bailey said people ride bikes on this road because, "They don’t have a vehicle. They’re either walking or on bikes. That’s their form of transportation."

According to the FHP report, the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. 

The investigation continues into the crash, while locals plead for patience on the road.

   

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