Port Orange cops: Elderly pedestrian killed instantly by young Daytona motorist while trying to cross Ridgewood

Fatality locator map of Ridgewood and White in Port Orange / Headline SurferFitness model Nicole K. Nagrani of Daytona / Headline SurferFacebook Fanpage photo / Nicole K. Nagrani, a 21-year-old Daytona Beach resident and Stetson University student and swimsuit model, was behind the wheel of a Porsche SUV, early Thursday when an elderly Port Orange woman tried crossing Ridgewood Avenue at White Street (as shown in this locator map) and was killed.

PORT ORANGE -- The paths of two women who didn't know each other crossed this morning in a tragic accident that left the 78-year-old pedestrian dead in the roadway on Ridgewood Avenue and the 21-year-old behind the wheel of a Porsche SUV shaken up emotionally, but physically uninjured.

Here is a synopsis of what happened in the 9:10 a.m. Thursday fatality as described by Port Orange Asstistant Chief of Police Wayne Miller: Police and fire department personnel responded to the intersection of White Street and Ridgewood Avenue regarding a vehicle versus pedestrian accident. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Miller said the preliminary investigation showed 21-year-old Nicole K. Nagrani of Daytona Beach, was traveling southbound on Ridgewood Avenue in the inside lane. The pedestrian, 78-year-old Leona E. Daniluk of Port Orange, was struck as she attempted to cross Ridgewood Avenue (crossing eastbound) at White Street. She was killed instantly. Nagrani was not physically hurt.

An autopsy will be conducted by the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office. Neither speed nor alcohol are considered contributing factors in the accident, but it remains under investigation by the Port Orange Police Traffic Homicide Unit.

An autopsy will be conducted by the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office. Neither speed nor alcohol are considered contributing factors in the accident, but it remains under investigation by the Port Orange Police Traffic Homicide Unit.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Officer James Kenny of the POPD Traffic Unit at 386-506-5838.

Editor's Note: Thursday's pedestrian fatality, Leona E. Daniluk, was predeceased by the September 1985 death of her son, 25-year-old Andrew Daniluk III, 25, who moved to Port Orange in 1970, from Garden Grove, Calif., according to an obituary listing in the Orlando Sentinel.