JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two people were killed when a pickup truck ran into a power pole on Fort Caroline Road early Thursday morning, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Police were dispatched to the crash on Fort Caroline Road near East Holly Oaks Lake Road about 2 a.m. Officers and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department personnel found 34-year-old Stephanie Gray and 33-year-old Steven Gray dead at the scene.
Police said Stephanie Gray was driving and was the only one wearing a seat belt.
"An individual passing by observed that a white, four-door truck had struck a concrete JEA light pole," said JSO Sgt. Rickie Valentine. "It does appear that speed is a factor. We do not have any indications of any drugs or alcohol being a factor. There were no other vehicles involved."
Traffic homicide detectives are investigating the cause of the crash.
Residents who live off the road said they heard the crash, went outside and saw the victims' bodies lying in the street. It's an image Sally Goodale said she may never be able to forget.
"It sounded like a truck just turned over the road," Goodale said. "We saw what we thought was four vehicles, but what we found out it was one vehicle."
Valentine said the impact of the crash was so strong that it snapped the concrete light pole.
"We spent most of the morning trying to figure out what kind of vehicle it was. The other half was down the road," resident Kelly Foster said.
She said speeding along the road is problem police have been trying to crack down on for years.
"There are constantly police officers at Fort Caroline Road doing traffic stops," Foster said. "People speed really badly."
JEA spokeswoman Gerri Boyce said crews will work to remove the concrete pole and replace it. Repairs may take place into late afternoon, but that pole does not affect any power in that area.
All lanes of Ft. Caroline Road were closed between West Holly Oaks Lake Road and St. Johns Bluff Road for several hours while the investigation continued. Officers reopened all westbound lanes and one eastbound lane just before 8 a.m. Additional lane closures may be required when the pole is replaced later in the day.