JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A five-vehicle crash on I-95 at JTB injured several people Tuesday evening, including the driver of a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, according to a JSO crash report.
The report shows the JSO officer was the at-fault driver in the crash, which was reported just before 6 p.m. on I-95 northbound just past J. Turner Butler Boulevard and before Bowden Road.
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According to the crash report, a 2014 GMC Sierra, a 2020 Tesla SUV and a FedEx semi-truck were stopped in the left lane of I-95 NB when a 2018 Ford Explorer JSO police vehicle came up from behind.
The JSO patrol SUV hit the back of the Sierra, sending it jolting forward into the Tesla, which was then pushed into the semi’s trailer. The report notes that the impact caused the Sierra’s rear end to lift into the air.
A 2019 Audi A4, which was traveling behind the patrol SUV, tried to slow down and swerve to avoid the crash but clipped the rear of the patrol SUV and careened into the middle lane, where the Sierra’s back end landed on top of the Audi.
That impact flipped the Sierra onto its passenger side, according to the report, and the driver said he used his work tools to break a window and climb out through the windshield.
The officer suffered cuts to his face and hands and was treated at UF Health, and the driver of the Sierra was treated at Memorial Hospital for a cut to his hand and facial pain.
The other three drivers and one passenger also complained of minor injuries, but none were hospitalized.
According to the report, the preliminary investigation indicates the JSO officer was at fault in the crash.
JSO said the protocol when an officer is found at fault in a crash is for the officer to be counseled and/or disciplined, which would be noted on the Employee Administrative Investigation Report.
He/she would also have the opportunity, if they oppose the finding of fault, to have the crash reviewed by JSO’s Safety Review Board for a final disposition, JSO said.