Ashley White

Democrat staff writer

Mark Baumer, an activist who was walking barefoot across America, was hit and killed by an SUV Saturday afternoon outside of Mossy Head, Florida.

The 33-year-old was hit by an SUV at about 1:15 p.m. CT on U.S. Highway 90 in Walton County, according to a release from the Florida Highway Patrol. He was walking westbound along the south shoulder of the road. Sonja Siglar, a 51-year-old from Westville, was driving eastbound, failed to stay in her lane and entered the shoulder, according to FHP.

Baumer was pronounced dead at the scene. FHP said alcohol was not a factor. Charges are pending.

Man walks barefoot through Tallahassee on cross-country trip

Baumer, who was raising awareness for climate change, had just finished his 100th day of his journey. He started in Providence, R.I., and was destined for California. He took a bus to Florida after it started snowing in Ohio. He passed through Tallahassee on Jan. 7.

“The big overall goal is to raise awareness and fight climate change,” Baumer told the Tallahassee Democrat when he passed through town. “The more specific goal of that is to raise awareness and funds for an organization back in Rhode Island that’s fighting climate change.”

The organization is the FANG Collective, a Providence-based environmental organization. The initial goal was to raise $10,000. On Jan. 16, Baumer updated the crowdfunding page saying it was three-quarters of the way to the goal. Now, more than $16,000 has been collected.

The FANG Collective released a statement about Baumer’s death on Facebook.

“Mark was an amazingly compassionate, empathic, humble, joyful, generous, mindful and caring person. He was a talented poet and artist with an ability to tap into the human experience with his work. As a friend, he was always there for us emotionally and did whatever he could do to support the work and vision of FANG.”

Baumer updated a blog daily, typically in the morning. His last blog post included a picture that had his feet and the word “Killed” with an arrow above it spray painted on the ground.

My hundredth day on the road

On his journey, Baumer would walk on the shoulder of the road or in the grass. If there wasn’t a shoulder to walk on, he would walk in the road.

“The best surface is usually the white line because it’s painted and really smooth,” Baumer said.