- January 29, 2026
Dear Editor:
If you haven’t heard or read, Brian McMillan, owner of the Palm Coast Observer and associated newspapers, is encouraging others to try and write 100 words per day. McMillan recently gave a presentation to the Flagler Chapter of the Military Association of America, of which I’m a member, and delivered that same inspiring message. Here are my 100 words for this day. I might go over by a little bit.
Ever present in my thoughts is the tragic hit-and-run crash that killed Flagler County Deputy Administrator Jorge Salinas and his wife Nancy, the night of October 4, 2025. It occurred on Interstate 4 in Volusia County as Jorge and Nancy were returning from a day at Disney. The crash caused by an irresponsible coward driving a black Dodge Durango, also killed 54-year-old motorcyclist Joaqin Anthony Deno.
The Durango was located in Palm Coast in the parking lot of an apartment complex off Seminole Woods Boulevard, not far from State Route 100. As a retired state police investigator myself, I trust and believe the Florida Highway Patrol is diligently, methodically, and painstakingly gathering and analyzing evidence that will bring an arrest and justice to the Salinas and Deno families. If you have any information that may help the Florida Highway Patrol, please call *347 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
David Lydon
Bunnell
