JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – A 21-year-old man was killed in a high-speed crash late Monday evening in Jacksonville Beach, police said.
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department said it is looking to see whether the other driver was using drugs or alcohol.
The two-vehicle crash happened about 11:30 p.m. on Third Street North near 11th Avenue North. The driver of a red Ford Focus, the 21-year-old man, died at the scene. The driver of a white Ford F-150, a 28-year-old man, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was later released.
Detectives have identified both drivers. Their names were not immediately released, however, family members of the 21-year-old told News4Jax that they were devastated and that he was driving home from work at the time of the crash.
During the crash, two light poles were damaged. Third Street North between 10th Avenue North and 13th Avenue North was shut down after the crash until about 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said the preliminary investigation determined speed was a contributing factor, but added the investigation is ongoing. Detectives said they believe the driver of the pickup truck was at fault.
“I can tell you speed was one factor in this,” said Sgt. Tonya Tator, with the Police Department. “The rest of it, I don’t have those answers yet.”
She acknowledged that officers had received a call about a reckless driver coming from St. Johns County a little earlier. She said detectives trying to see whether it’s the same person behind the wheel of the truck.
“There have been no charges or arrests made,” Tator said. “That’s something that will come down the road depending upon what the investigation reveals.”
People up and down Third Street were upset this happened.
Paolini, who owns Pelican’s SnoBalls just down the road, said it’s a family atmosphere but he sees dangerous driving all the time.
“You hear the cops every night chasing somebody down,” Paolini said. “Be more careful. It’s only 35 mph. But it’s like NASCAR, you know?”
In July, just blocks away on Second Street North, Bryn Turner, 22, was killed and another pedestrian was seriously injured in a high-speed crash. The driver faces charges that include vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and DUI with injury, according to an arrest warrant.
And in September, police said, a hit-and-run driver severely injured two people waiting at a bus stop on Third Street.
Jacksonville Beach police were asking business owners to look at their security cameras to see whether they have any video of Monday night’s crash or anything before it. Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department at 904-270-1667.