A man riding a scooter was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola on Wednesday morning after he was critically injured in a collision with a van.
Robert Clark Roberson, 73, of Fort Walton Beach, was riding a 2008 Yamaha scooter north on Beal Parkway about 9:15 a.m. when he was struck by the van, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Roberson tried to swerve but could not avoid the collision, the FHP reported.
Guido Walter had stopped in the median cut coming from Lowe’s when he tried to cross the northbound lanes. The right side of his 2005 Ford van hit the scooter, the FHP reported.
See photos of the accident. >>
Watch a video of the scooter's driver being airlifted. >>
Walter, 50, of Fort Walton Beach, was not hurt. His van sustained $5,000 in damage.
First responders said Roberson was conscious and talking when they arrived, but was bleeding heavily from the head.
A medical helicopter landed in the vacant lot across from Lowe’s to fly Roberson to Sacred Heart.
His condition was not available later Wednesday.
The FHP’s investigation was continuing.
Residents who live near the intersection of Beal and Yancey Street gathered to watch as Roberson was bundled onto the helicopter.
Elsie McKay said accidents are common in the area, in part because of the risks people take trying to get out of Lowe’s parking lot.
“There are several here because of that,” she said. “People speeding, not looking where they’re going.
“We hear the sirens and when they stop, we know (the accident) is here.”