NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Three people, including a couple who were both teachers, were killed Wednesday night in a two-vehicle wreck in New Smyrna Beach, according to police.
The triple-fatal crash happened around 8:30 p.m. on U.S. 1 near Inlet Shores Drive, south of Skyline Drive.
According to New Smyrna Beach police, an initial investigation shows that Matt Cindric, 42, and his wife, Fawne Cindric, 45, were traveling south in the left turn lane on U.S. 1 when a northbound motorcycle struck their vehicle and caught fire.
The Cindrics, who lived in New Smyrna Beach, and the motorcyclist, Justin Sexton, 27, of Holly Hill, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Matt Cindric taught at Creekside Middle School in Port Orange, while his wife was an instructor at Daytona State College.
Florida Rep. Chase Tramont, who grew up with the couple, posted that the Cindrics leave behind four children.
“Join me in keeping (the children) covered in prayer and supporting them in any way needed,” Tramont said.
Tramont said the Cindrics were “the type of people everybody would want in their lives.”
“They just had the natural ability to bring a genuine happiness and joy -- just being around them -- and that’s evident by both their personal and professional lives,” he said.
Creekside Middle School Chief of Staff John Cash said staff are “heartbroken” over the news.
The Creekside Middle School family and Volusia County Schools are heartbroken over the loss of Matt Cindric, a beloved teacher, and his wife in a tragic automobile accident. I had the privilege to work with Matt for the last six years when I was principal at Creekside, and I can tell you this loss is very difficult as Matt was part of the heartbeat of that school. He was a fixture as a youth sports umpire and referee and impacted our kids not only in the classroom but also on the field and courts. The entire Port Orange Community mourns the loss of this loving couple.
Creekside Middle School Chief of Staff John Cash
A grief support team would be available at the middle school on Monday, according to a Volusia County Schools spokesperson.
Matt Cindric was on the basketball team at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, where he graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Aviation Administration from the Daytona Beach campus.
His basketball coach, Steve Ridder, said Matt Cindric was a “gentle giant.”
“Matt’s makeup is what is just so impressive. He had this physically, Superman body that everybody would love to have had, but he was a gentle giant,” Ridder said. “His heart, his soul, his kindness, his thoughtfulness: that’s what I remember most.”
Jennifer Piecara, who lives near the crash site also described the situation as “heartbreaking.”
“It’s heartbreaking to see what happened and to know they have four children,” she said. “And the motorcycle rider has a couple of children.”
A memorial continues to grow near Inlet Shores Drive and a GoFundMe has since been established to help the couple’s children.
A police investigation into the crash is ongoing.
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