Dayton-area pastor hit by car, killed while crossing Florida highway

ajc.com

A Dayton-area pastor was struck and killed while crossing a highway in Florida, and another local man was seriously injured in the crash.

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department said the incident early Sunday morning on U.S. 98 near the Holiday Inn Express. The crash involved a vehicle that struck two pedestrians crossing the highway, the release said.

Joel Burton, 42, a Harrison Twp. pastor, died in the incident. Also with Burton was Zebulon Dill, 32, another Dayton-area resident, who suffered serious leg injuries. Dill was taken to Fort Walton Destin Hospital, where he was being treated.

Police identified the driver as 20-year-old Colt Shelton of Fort Walton Beach.

No charges have been filed,

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department is investigating a traffic crash which occurred overnight on Miracle Strip...

Posted by Fort Walton Beach Police Department on Sunday, July 31, 2022

Anyone with more information about the crash is asked to contact city Traffic Homicide Investigator J. Myrick at 850-833-9546, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Burton was a pastor for Simple Street, a Harrison Twp. church that was working to host recovery meetings and worship services.

He was featured in a Dayton Daily News article in July after multiple break-ins at the building that was being renovated.

Facebook messages from Dayton-area friends mourned Burton’s death and talked about the work he had been doing in the community.