Robert R. Colflesh, as shown here from his Facebook profile, was struck and killed Friday night after stepping into the path of a tractor trailer on the St. Johns River Bridge in Astor near the Volusia County line. The 42-year-old Astor resident is survived by two daughters, 13 and 9, according to his Facebook profile.
ASTOR -- A 42-year-old Astor man walking on the St. Johns River Bridge stepped into the path of a semi and was killed instantly Friday night. Why?
The question of may never be answered, and today, a 13-year-old girl and her 9-year-old kid sister, continue along life's journey without their dad, Robert R. Colflesh.
Here is a synopsis of the 9:41 p.m. fatality as reported by Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes: Alfredo Zertuche was heading west on State Road 40 when the victim walked out into the roadway and directly into the path of the 2005 semi Model TT "when it wasn't safe to do so." The 68-year-old truck driver hit the brakes, but was unable to stop in time.
The fatality is being investigated, Montes said. An autopsy was ordered to determine whether the victim had been drinking or some medical reason for walking out into the roadway. The initial FHP report indicated the driver was not impaired.