JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A woman died and five other people, including a police officer, were injured after a car accident early Sunday morning in Northwest Jacksonville, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Rich Buoye, with the JSO Traffic Homicide Unit, said a man and three women were in a BMW traveling south on Edgewood Avenue North about 2 a.m. when the vehicle lost control, crossed the median near Shenandoah Avenue, collided with a Chevrolet Suburban and then caught fire.
Buoye said police were able to rescue the man and two of the women from the vehicle, but the third woman could not be pulled out. She died at the scene.
Buoye said a JSO officer was burned on his head and arms while trying to save her.
“My heart goes out to the families and to the officer,” Buoye said. “He’s a hero. He did everything he could to try and save this woman. He saved three. He just couldn’t get the fourth one out.
Paramedics treated the officer for his injuries, which were described by JSO as minor, at the scene.
“I can only imagine how this officer feels, trying to get this woman out of the car and unable to, getting burned himself and then watching her perish in front of him,” Buoye said. “It’s terrible. It’s horrible.”
The driver of the Chevrolet was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Buoye said.
Police said three survivors from the BMW showed up at a hospital on their own with minor injuries.
All lanes of Edgewood Avenue North were closed until about 7 a.m. following the crash.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, excessive speed may be a contributing factor.
Buoye had a warning for all drivers.
“There’s nothing that we’re doing out here that is so important that you have to hurry to get there, drive crazy,” he said.
According to JSO, following Sunday morning’s deadly crash, Jacksonville is approaching 120 traffic deaths so far in 2021.