Stuart girl, 16, killed in head-on crash with wrong-way driver in Hobe Sound
June 24th, 2011 by TCPalm.comBy Will Greenlee
Share your condolences for Jessica Smith
Share your condolences for David Whelan
HOBE SOUND _ Two people — including a 16-year-old girl from Stuart — died Thursday night during a fiery crash that happened after a pickup was struck by a car traveling the wrong way on U.S. 1, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith, of Stuart, was driving a 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck north on U.S. 1 about 9:25 p.m. south of Osprey Street, according to the FHP. Meanwhile, David Whelan, 58, of Palm Beach Shores in Palm Beach County was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Impala south in the northbound lanes.
The vehicles collided head-on and both drivers died in the crash. Neither wore a seatbelt. U.S. 1 in the area is two lanes in either direction.
Smith would have been a junior at South Fork High School in Martin County in the upcoming year, and was a varsity cheerleader, said lifelong friend Madison McCown.
“She was an amazing girl,” McCown, 15, said Friday. “She just was the most peppist and spirited girl I’ve ever met. She was a great friend.”
McCown described Smith as a lively person who loved the beach.
“She hung out with every group. She was around everybody,” McCown said. “She loved to cheer, she loved cheerleading.”
McCown also said Smith loved her boyfriend, Troy Larkins.
Smith, an only child, had just dropped Larkins off and was on her way home at the time on the incident.
McCown’s mother, Kimberly McCown, said it was something she did on a daily basis.
”She was like my second daughter,” Kimberly McCown said. “I loved her very much and it’s a great loss and there’s a cheerleader up in Heaven now.”
Madison McCown, who helped Smith try out for cheerleading, said Smith was a beautiful person with long brown hair and brown eyes.
She loved listening to music, and had an iPod with 2,000 songs on it.
Whelan has been arrested more than 40 times since 1994 in Florida on charges including DUI, battery, disorderly intoxication, larceny, shoplifting, disorderly conduct, loitering or prowling, cocaine possession, robbery, trespassing, failure to appear and aggravated assault, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records.
His most recent arrest was in April. Palm Beach Shores police arrested him on a driving with a suspended license charge.
Posted June 24, 2011 at 7:50 a.m., updated June 24, 2011 at 12:46 p.m.
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June 24th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Poor Jessica was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Our hearts go out to her parents, family and friends over her loss. I do have to wonder why someone like David Whelan with his 40 arrest record over the years was not in jail instead of out on the roads with an accident waiting to happen.
June 24th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
once again,we have allowed the human bacteria among us,to destroy a nice innocent little girl.now,we,ll have to pay for his lawyer,trial,medical,condo(prisoncell),as it becomes a ward-of-the-taxpayers/state.because we do not take these living bad human lifeforms seriously.heres my budget saving idea=stop building prisons,ship these germs directly to the congo,so they can be food for the hungry.
June 24th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
My heart goes out to the friends and family of this poor girl.
June 24th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
“now,we,ll have to pay for his lawyer,trial,medical,condo(prisoncell)”
Nope, this scumbag died too. God bless this poor young lady and all her loved ones she leaves behind.
June 24th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Not for nothing but to savetheusa if I read this right the man that was driving the other car died also, so I dont see where we a goin to have to pay for HIS lawyer. To the young girls family my thoughts & prayers r w/u as I am a mother of a single child & would be lost w/out them.
June 24th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Way to go David Whalen you freakin loser. You’re lucky you died in that crash.
God bless Jessica Smith. Everyone who reads this story should remember her and do what they can to keep this from happening to anyone again.
June 24th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
I don’t know the young lady or the family, but my prayers go out to them. It’s always a tragedy when something like this happens. Both families lose.
June 24th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
There is a link for a guest book for this low life?
June 24th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
*** PLEASE, MARTIN COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND THE HONORABLE MS. PAM ROEBUCK, TAKE CONTROL AND SHOW PALM BEACH COUNTY HOW MARTIN COUNTY DOES THINGS AROUND HERE INCLUDING ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRUNK OR RECKLESS DRIVING…I HOPE MARTIN COUNTY MAKES SURE THIS MAN NEVER SETS FOOT OUTSIDE OF A JAIL OR PRISON AGAIN! Sincerely, Garvin Family. ***
June 24th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
This is a tragedy for both families,I personally know Mr Whelans Ederly Mother,she is a wonderful sweet Lady.This is a terrible accident. My heart goes out to the young Lady’s family. May God be with you through this horrible time.
June 24th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
HOW IS THIS AN ACCIDENT? A scumbag was driving the wrong way on a highway and killed a poor innocent child. Looking at this parasites criminal record I want to know what he was doing out on the streets? He should’ve been locked up in prison with all the other dirtbags My heart goes out to this girls family and friends but the world is a better place without Whelan.
June 24th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Way to go PB County Justice System!
You’re failure to lock up a repeat offender of the lowest class resulted in a young, beautiful girl’s death. When you all go home tonight and spend time with your kids and enjoy your night out at the movies, there’ll be two parents at home grieving because of your failure to do your job properly.
I lived in PBC for 38 years and moved to Martin County in ’09 and never looked back.
June 24th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Wow reading comprehension for the loss people…the other driver died too.
Most of our DUI laws are set at too low a bar and too fine heavy. You have guys like this one just choosing to defy all law and order…IMHO the DUI limit should be raised to .12, first time penalties lowered for anyone with out prior arrests…however; second and third convictions much harsher.
I can’t see how this dude was free to roam our streets.
June 24th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Condolences to the Smith family on this tragic death.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to stop the future tragedies like this one. They will drive with suspended or no license, drunk or on drugs and commit murder again.
June 24th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Whelan’s life was an accident, this was not an accident this was going to happen as long as he was in this world. The best predictor of the future is the past. His sweet old mother should have aborted him. What a waste of life. Sad she didnt wear her seatbelt, could have saved her.
June 24th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
His most recent arrest was in April for driving with a suspended license. My heart goes out to the families. What a beautiful girl…
June 24th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Folks, both drivers died, there will be no tax payer-funded jail cell.
Regardless of the fact that Mr. Whalen was driving in the wrong direction on the highway, and has a troubled past (and POSSIBLY was impaired), he may leave behind friends and family who are not responsible and will grieve as well.
My condolences to both of their friends/families, this is a tragedy from every perspective.
June 24th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
I knew Dave very well. YES he had a drinking problem NO he was NOT a bad guy, when sober he would move the world to help someone. Have some consideration for those of us who will grieve Dave (including his mom), and refrain from the name calling.
June 24th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
For those of you name calling, do ANY of you actually know Dave?? Don’t be so quick to judge..I’d be willing to bet you’ve also been arrested in the past…
June 24th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Kelsey – you cannot be serious. The scumbag that you say is “not a bad guy” KILLED an innocent 16 year old girl. Jessica was a beautiful girl, living her life, and looking forward to going to cheerleading camp this morning. Now because of some complete waste of space, she is gone. The only good thing is that David died as well. If you and his family cared so much about him than why didn’t you get him the help that he needed a long time ago? If being arrested over 40 times isn’t a “bad guy” than what is? I hope someone else like this loser, who you think is a great guy, never kills your child or loved one. For the families in Hobe Sound we take solace in the fact that David is rotting in hell where he belongs.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Really, hoping he rots in hell, how does that help anyone? What about his mom, who lost both her children & her husband, supposed to feel? Should she not grieve? Should those of us who loved him not grieve? You didn’t know Dave, so don’t judge him.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Jen I bet you’re one of those hypocrits who calls themselves a christian as well.
June 25th, 2011 at 12:22 am
i will alway miss you jessica i love you so much im going to miss cheer leading with you, you were the most amazing person i have ever met in my life R.I.P baby girl
June 25th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Jen,
I hope you never encounter a friend or family member who has a problem with substance abuse so you won’t ever have someone blame you if they cause an accident. You can NOT make someone well, they have to do it themselves. It’s a damn shame Mr. Whalen did not take that initiative (especially after having had so much legal trouble because of it) and it’s an ever bigger shame that it came to a head and ended in the death of another, but it is NOT the fault of those he left behind.
I didn’t know either party, but I’m quite sure both drivers left behind folks who loved and cared about them and are suffering now.
Have a little compassion.
Yes, it’s a horrible tragedy that should never have happened but don’t blame the survivors.
June 25th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Seriously guys you all are ridiculous. Mr. Whelan should be mourned by his loved ones. He must’ve done something right in his life. Jessica was my cousin. She was such a beautiful girl inside and out. She had so much going for her and in the blink of an eye shes gone. I know Jessica and I know I know she wouldn’t want people fighting and arguing like this. I love Jessica so much and it hurts so bad knowing that she’s gone. Mr. Whelan shouldn’t have been on the road that night. With his record he should have been in jail. What happens to him in his afterlife isn’t for anyone on earth to decide. Only God can judge us. So please people drop it for the sake of what’s good that’s left in this world.
June 27th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Another tragedy in Martin County. Where was this person (Man) at before the accident was he intoxicated was he served by a bartender when he was drunk. Accidents do not just happen they are caused. It seems that somewhere after being arrested forty times he should be in jail.
I blame first of all the person responsible the other driver, but close behind the panty waist judges we have when it comes to DWI. If you want to commit murder in Martin County do it in a car for you will only get your wrist slapped. MADD Mothers should Identify these judges and prosecutors and vote them out of office. The Court house where the 19th circuit court is located should be renamed freedom hall.
It is time for the police to get more people in their traffic units and be specific to traffic and DUI Enforcement. Be more aggressive towards Drunks on our highway. Now it is time for us as citizens to support the police in their efforts to stop drunks from driving on our streets. Let’s find a way to fund more police, and equipment.
David Johnson
June 28th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
My boyfriend was over that night & he left half an hour before the accident. I live a little ways from The Manors & I’m sorry for your loss it’s hard to lose someone so young. your in my thoughts & prayers keep Strong. The man in the truck should’ve been dealt with before this.
July 3rd, 2011 at 6:46 pm
I miss u jessica all of us at SF miss u terribly. R.I.P girl
July 4th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
This is so sad
July 5th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Jess and I were pretty good friends in 6th and 7th grade, and it’s SO hard to believe that she’s really gone… she was an amazing person, and everyone loved her. She probably didn’t have one enemy, and if she did, it was because they were jealous they couldn’t be as awesome as her.. she was a great friend, and she will never be forgotten.. we love you jess<3
July 26th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Miss you Jessie. Don’t let the drama others are starting to get you down. We all love you down here and we all know you are in a better place. I hope one day I will get to see you again because i just miss you sooo sooo much! Words cannot explain how we all feel! Love you baby <3 xoxoxo Rest in Peace Love <3
September 10th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Or did anyone else whos gone to the crash notice that there are NO TIRE MARKS? I mean, that road is hilly, it does not have any turns at all. Its just a long bit of road! How could you not see another care that was driving the wrong way? Was the girl on her phone? If that was the case, which is seems like it could be since there were no tire marks, this was a waste of a life. If only she had been paying attention to the road!
November 9th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
So sorry to hear such a loss. I know, a friend of mine died in a crash many years ago. It is always tough to accept. The only person I said I would ever get up for a reunion to meet was lost.
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June 23rd, 2012 at 10:26 pm
its been exactly one year since you passed jessica, everybody is still thinking about you everyday! your memorial is as beautiful as ever. i miss you even though we hadnt talked in quite awhile ill always remember being in girlscouts with you when we were younger and always having fun. you were a beautiful young girl and you are missed greatly, its a shame that you had to be taken from us but your in a much better place now. i hope to see you one day soon<3
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