BAKER COUNTY, Fla. – A 17-year-old boy riding a bicycle has died following his involvement in a car accident in Macclenny on Monday night.
Zymir Washington was pronounced dead at the Baker Community Medical Center after he was seriously injured in the accident.
This is the fifth fatality involving a car accident in Baker County since Saturday.
Nancy Martin, a family friend said Washington was staying with her.
“He's been staying at my house for about two weeks now. He was a very sweet kid he was no problem,” Martin said. “Every time you talk to us he would do nothing but smile. We asked him if he had a good Christmas and he said yes he had an awesome Christmas and now this.”
Washington lived with his grandmother in Macclenny. His grandmother was with Washington in the hospital when he died.
The accident happened at North Boulevard West and Cardinal Lane. Authorities report a 2001 Dodge Ram truck was traveling westbound on North Boulevard West approaching the Lee and Baker Mobile Home Park.
The driver, Gerald R. Wages, 46, told police as he was driving a bicycle suddenly darted across the roadway heading southbound from the mobile home park.
The driver told authorities he attempted to swerve towards the left to avoid colliding with the bicyclist, but was unable to. The front right side of the truck struck the teen’s side, causing him to be ejected from the bicycle and onto the roadway.
Randy Walker lives near where the accident occurred.
“I’ve been after the city for 12 years to light up the street at least light out here right here where our drive is because there's probably 30, 40, 50 kids in here,” Walker said.