JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two people were killed early Sunday morning in an accident on I-295 southbound north of Wilson Boulevard, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said a disabled vehicle was in the center lane of the interstate around 2 a.m. The FHP said the driver of that sedan along with the passenger and a good Samaritan were attempting to push the disabled car out of the way of traffic when the group was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The passenger of the disabled car and the good Samaritan both died at the scene, according to the accident report.
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FHP no longer releases the names of victims or others involved in traffic crashes but did say the two victims were 19 and 21 years old.
Both the driver of the disabled vehicle that was being pushed and the driver of the car that struck it, sustained minor injuries. The FHP report said there may have been another, unknown vehicle that was also involved.
All lanes of I-295 southbound were closed for several hours as the accident was investigated and cleared. FHP traffic homicide is continuing to investigate the crash.
News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson urged caution when your car breaks down on the highway or you spot a disabled vehicle.
“It’s a dangerous task when you see someone disabled on the highway and you try to help them," Jefferson said. “Even if you’ve got four-way flashers going, remember the speed limit is anywhere from 60-65 mph or higher on the highway and people’s response time is very slow when they come upon a car that’s completed stopped on the interstate because you don’t expect it to be stopped. The best thing to do if you see your car about to be disabled or breaking down, try to get to the shoulder of the road.”