WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The West Palm Beach community is mourning the tragic loss of 26-year-old Gage Chidester, who was fatally struck by a vehicle late Friday, Jan. 24, at the intersection of Jog Road and Okeechobee Boulevard.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Chidester, a homeless man, was attempting to cross Jog Road westbound within a marked crosswalk when he ran across the roadway against the crosswalk signal. A 2022 Nissan Altima, driven northbound by a 30-year-old woman, approached the intersection as the traffic light turned yellow. Investigators reported that Chidester ran into the path of the vehicle, which struck him on the front right, propelling him onto the car’s fender and windshield. He then fell into the northbound lane, where he was struck again by the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the collision, the driver continued north and initially left the scene. Deputies later located her at a nearby residence, where she provided a sworn statement acknowledging she had been driving at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported for the driver.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing, and the case is currently pending. Officials have not announced any final determination regarding potential charges.
Gage Chidester’s death is a tragic reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on roadways. The Palm Beach County community continues to mourn his passing while authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances of the fatal crash.
