ORMOND BEACH, FL – April 27, 2026 — A 34‑year‑old woman from Holly Hill who had just left Sunday morning services at her father’s church was killed in a violent two‑vehicle crash at a busy Ormond Beach intersection. The Ormond Beach Police Department (OBPD) has identified the victim as Rebekah Petrick , a beloved marketing director, children’s teacher, and musician.

The collision occurred on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at approximately 11:47 a.m. , at the intersection of South Orchard Street and Cherrywood Drive — a junction that neighbors say has long been a concern for safety. Petrick was driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) when it collided with a sedan under circumstances that remain under active investigation.

Despite rapid response from emergency crews, Rebekah Petrick was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in her SUV and the driver of the sedan were both injured and transported to a nearby hospital. Their conditions have not been fully disclosed, though officials have confirmed that the sedan driver is cooperating with investigators.

The Crash: A Sunday Morning Shattered

According to the Ormond Beach Police Department , officers were dispatched to the intersection of South Orchard Street and Cherrywood Drive following multiple 911 calls reporting a serious crash involving an SUV and a sedan. The time stamp: 11:47 a.m. — a moment when many families were either still at church or heading home for Sunday dinner.

First responders from Ormond Beach Fire Rescue arrived to find both vehicles severely damaged, with debris scattered across the intersection. Rebekah Petrick was found unresponsive behind the wheel of her SUV. Despite immediate life‑saving efforts, she could not be revived.

“It was a violent impact,” said a witness who asked not to be named. “I heard the crash from inside my house. By the time I got outside, people were already running to help. It was horrible.”

Police have not yet released details about the sequence of events — which driver had the right of way, whether speed or distraction played a role, or if weather or road conditions were factors. The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking for anyone with information or dashboard camera footage to come forward.

The Investigation: Officer Jack Lyster Leads the Inquiry

The Ormond Beach Police Department has assigned Officer Jack Lyster to lead the crash investigation. Officer Lyster is a trained accident reconstructionist with years of experience handling fatal collisions in Volusia County.

In a public statement, OBPD confirmed that the sedan driver — whose name has not been released — is cooperating fully with investigators. The passenger in Petrick’s SUV, also unnamed at this time, remains hospitalized. Their injuries have not been characterized as life‑threatening, but officials have not provided further medical updates.

“Our thoughts are with everyone involved,” said Jesse Godfrey , a department spokesperson or official (the source text lists Jesse Godfrey as speaking on behalf of the investigation). “This remains an active investigation, and we are diligently working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.”

Officer Lyster has urged any witnesses to contact him directly via email at Jack.Lyster@ormondbeach.org or by phone at (386) 229-7173. Investigators are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen the moments leading up to the collision, including drivers who were stopped at the intersection or who passed through shortly before 11:47 a.m.

Who Was Rebekah Petrick?

While the crash report lists Rebekah Petrick as a 34‑year‑old Holly Hill resident, those who knew her describe a woman whose life was defined by faith, service, music, and joy.

Rebekah was the daughter of the pastor of Harbor Baptist Church , where her father has led the congregation for many years. According to church members, Rebekah rarely missed a service. She taught children’s classes, sang in a family musical group, and was always the first to volunteer for vacation Bible school, food drives, and outreach events.

“Rebekah had the most gentle spirit,” said Martha Sloan, a longtime friend and fellow church member. “She didn’t need to be the center of attention. She just quietly made everything better. The kids adored her. She could teach the same Bible story twenty times and make each one feel new.”

Professionally, Rebekah worked as a marketing director for Chick‑fil‑A , where she was responsible for community outreach, fundraising events, and connecting the restaurant with local schools and nonprofits. Coworkers described her as “the heart of the store” — someone who remembered employees’ birthdays, brought homemade cookies to meetings, and once organized a prom dress drive for underprivileged high school students.

“She didn’t just do marketing,” said a colleague who asked to remain anonymous. “She built relationships. She made sure we were actually helping people, not just handing out coupons. Chick‑fil‑A was lucky to have her.”

On the morning of the crash, Rebekah was returning home from Harbor Baptist Church after Sunday services. Her family believes she was likely singing along to music on the radio or thinking about lunch plans — the ordinary rhythms of a Sunday that none of them will ever have again.

Family and Faith: A Pastor’s Daughter

The loss is particularly profound for Rebekah’s father, who serves as pastor of Harbor Baptist Church. In a brief phone conversation with a local reporter, he asked for prayers and privacy, saying through a family representative: “Rebekah lived her faith every single day. She is with her Savior now. But we miss her more than words can say.”

The church has announced a special prayer service for Tuesday evening. A memorial service is being planned, though details have not yet been finalized. Members of the congregation have already begun organizing meals and support for the Petrick family.

Rebekah was also part of a family musical group that performed at church events and community gatherings. She played piano and sang harmony. “Music was her love language,” said a cousin. “When words failed, she played. And now the music has gone quiet.”

Community Reaction: Grief and Calls for Safer Streets

News of Rebekah Petrick’s death has sent shockwaves through Holly Hill, Ormond Beach, and the broader Volusia County community. Social media tributes have poured in, many of them accompanied by photos of Rebekah’s smiling face at church picnics, Chick‑fil‑A charity events, or family gatherings.

But alongside the grief, there is also anger — and a renewed conversation about the safety of the intersection at South Orchard Street and Cherrywood Drive.

Residents living near the crash site told local news crews that the intersection has been a trouble spot for years. “People run the stop sign all the time,” said one neighbor. “Orchard is a cut‑through to avoid the main roads, so you get people speeding, not paying attention. It’s a miracle no one died here sooner.”

Another resident added: “Cherrywood has a stop sign, but Orchard does not. So if someone blows that stop sign, it’s a T‑bone collision every time. That’s exactly what happened Sunday.”

The Ormond Beach Police Department has not confirmed whether running a stop sign was a factor in this crash. However, Officer Jack Lyster’s investigation will almost certainly examine right‑of‑way violations, speed data from vehicle event recorders (black boxes), and witness statements.

The Deadly Reality of Intersection Crashes

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 40% of all fatal crashes occur at intersections. The most common causes include:

· Failure to yield right‑of‑way
· Running stop signs or red lights
· Distracted driving (cell phones, eating, adjusting radios)
· Speeding
· Impaired driving

In many cases, intersection crashes are particularly violent because they involve side‑impact (“T‑bone”) collisions, where vehicles have little crush protection on the doors. While modern vehicles have side airbags and reinforced frames, the physics of a high‑energy side impact remain deadly — especially when an SUV and a smaller sedan collide, as in this case.

Tragically, Rebekah Petrick was pronounced dead at the scene — a stark reminder that even with rapid emergency response, some injuries are unsurvivable.

How to Help and Where to Turn

The Petrick family has asked for privacy but has also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support. A family friend has organized a meal train and a fund to help cover funeral expenses. Donations can be made through Harbor Baptist Church, with checks marked “Rebekah Petrick Memorial Fund.”

A public memorial service is expected later this week, with details to be announced by the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to the children’s ministry at Harbor Baptist Church — a cause that was close to Rebekah’s heart.

The Ongoing Investigation: What Happens Next

Officer Jack Lyster and the Ormond Beach Police Department continue to investigate. Their work includes:

· Reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses
· Analyzing damage patterns on both vehicles
· Downloading and reviewing event data recorders (EDRs) from the SUV and sedan
· Interviewing the hospitalized passenger and sedan driver once their medical conditions allow
· Consulting with accident reconstruction specialists

No charges have been filed, and no citations have been issued. The investigation could take several weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the evidence.

Officer Lyster reiterated his call for witnesses: “If you were at or near the intersection of South Orchard Street and Cherrywood Drive on Sunday, April 26, around 11:45 a.m., please contact me. Even if you think you didn’t see anything important, you might have information that helps us understand what happened.”

Remembering Rebekah Petrick

In the end, those who loved Rebekah want the world to remember her not for the way she died, but for the way she lived — with faith, with kindness, with a song in her heart and a willingness to help anyone in need.

“She was the kind of person who made you want to be better,” said a friend from Chick‑fil‑A. “And now she’s gone, and there’s a hole that can’t be filled. But we’ll keep teaching those kids. We’ll keep singing those songs. We’ll keep showing up. Because that’s what Rebekah would do.”

As the sun set on Ormond Beach the evening after the crash, a small group of church members gathered at the intersection of South Orchard Street and Cherrywood Drive. They placed a wooden cross and a bouquet of flowers at the spot where Rebekah took her last breath. They prayed. They cried. And they sang — softly, together — one of Rebekah’s favorite hymns.

Rest in peace, Rebekah Petrick (approximately 1991 or 1992 – April 26, 2026). You are deeply missed, and your light will not be extinguished.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Officer Jack Lyster at Jack.Lyster@ormondbeach.org or (386) 229-7173. Tips can be made anonymously.