Last Updated: 5:40 p.m.
A one-mile stretch of I-95 from the State road 100 bridge south turned into a crash zone during a 90-minute period around midday, resulting in overturned vehicles but no injuries in the first crash and the death of a man who was allegedly fleeing in a chase yet again triggered either in Duval or St. Johns County and involving the Florida Highway Patrol.
The fleeing man is alleged to have committed a carjacking.
It is at least the third FHP chase in six days resulting in destruction of property, injuries or death. Last week FHP shot and wounded a woman in a chase that ended in a Hammock Resort parking lot, and the next day initiated a chase against a man who had committed minor infractions but ended by crashing his car on private property in Seminole Woods. (See: “FHP Chase Ends in Shooting at Two Women, Wounding One, at Hammock Beach Resort; Incident Captured on Video,” and “Another FHP Chase Ends in Arrest After Manhunt Off Slow Drift Turn in Seminole Woods.”
The chases have provoked some criticism locally and complaints to the sheriff. The Sheriff’s Office has not been involved in the chases except in a supportive role after the chases have ended. Flagler County Sheriff’s policy strictly regulates chasing protocols, generally recommending against chasing individuals for non-violent infractions. A carjacking would be considered a violent crime.
A Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson said that at 11:20 this morning, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office requested FHP’s assistance with a vehicle pursuit of a carjacking suspect on I-95. The carjacking had taken place in Duval County.
“The alleged violation occurred in Duval County. The suspect was being actively pursued by the SJCSO southbound on I-95 and then entered into Flagler County,” the FHP spokesperson said. “As FHP troopers were responded to assist, the suspect crashed into the back of a commercial motor vehicle and its trailer.” The truck was carrying a shipping container. The vehicle was crushed beneath the back of the container up to the cab of the car, likely killing its occupant instantly. The driver of the truck was not injured.
An FHP release issued this evening states that the driver was a 30-year-old Orlando man who, in slower traffic, attempted to travel on the inside shoulder of the interstate, but lost control of the car, swerved into the middle lane, where the truck was traveling, and crashed.
Several St. Johns County Sheriff’s patrol cars were among those surrounding the crash scene. The Florida Highway Patrol is handling the crash investigation. FHP has not released the identity of the victim.
The crash shut down the southbound lanes of I-95 at Palm Coast Parkway, diverting traffic onto U.S. 1 or Old Kings Road. Not long after the crash, Old Kings Road had backed up two miles, then three, from the traffic light at Town Center Boulevard.
The earlier crash took place at 10:14 less than a mile south of the bridge when GMC SUV pulling a camper overturned in the median of I-95. The driver had reportedly lost control and struck a truck, according to 911 notes, before overturning. No one was injured.
The GMC ended up jumping the guardrail to the southbound side (the driver was driving north) and stood on its side, while the trailer portion remained on the northbound side, also on its side.
The crash caused backups in both directions. Roger’s Towing of Bunnell cleared the roadway at 10:47 a.m.
RUSSELL A SMITH says
Prayers to all the “Innocent Victims” of this horror show! Incidents like this put so many in peril. Looks like the bad guy got what he deserved!
TR says
No symphathy from me for the car jacker. Unfortunately the car owner has to go through the hassel and get a new car. Most likely costing more then they will get from the insurance. That’s if the insurance will pay being the driver wasn’t insured to drive the car. That means a law suit that the car owner has to go through. But I don’t know who the car owner can sue being the car jacker died.
Land of no turn signals says says
I guess the car jacker will not be a repeat offender.NEXT
bill says
The public never ceases to amuse me they’re complaining about car chases stay home, mind your own business let law-enforcement do their job.
Jeff says
Play stupid games when stupid prizes. Thank you officers for doing your job and doing it well.
Atwp says
Not good.
CCR says
I have a really crazy idea. IF these people would STOP when the police have their lights and sirens on behind them and then comply with the officers as they are doing their job, the death and injury rates would decrease significantly.
Let us instead feel badly for the person who endured the carjacking this morning as well as all of the other victims of the crimes these folks are committing.
Fritz B. says
Ditto. Law enforcement did great protecting everyone.
Fritz B. says
No revolving court door for this one.
Fritz B. says
True. Totally agree.
Robert Joseph Fortier says
They can sue the morons insurance company for damages, as he was insured at the time of the incident, wether or not he died.
Resident says
Great job law enforcement, keep up the good work!
Mary Jane says
Carjackings never ends up in a positive way. You would think by now carjacking would be a thing of the past.
Skibum says
My hope is that all of these recent incidents on I-95 and other local roads here in Flagler County involving FHP, particularly those that have resulted in deaths, are receiving the heightened scrutiny and level of concern by FHP administration because we certainly could benefit from enhanced presence of troopers in this county. I encourage the sheriff to keep the pressure on the FHP to bring more state resources to Flagler County so those of us who live and work here can actually SEE that something is being done to impact the daily craziness we unfortunately have to witness and try to avoid on I-95 and other area roadways.
Shoulda taken US-one says
Jesus returning from a Dr Appt in Daytona I caught the first half of that whole mess, My left leg is super sore from working the clutch in and out of first gear on 95 between Old Dixie and Rt 100 what a nightmare!
P. Colson says
Law enforcement is just doing their JOB! If we let these criminals continue to wreak havoc on our county it will just continue to get worse. You wouldn’t want your property taken from you, and just have law enforcement stand by and say “Oh well, it’s just a car, sorry for your loss” No you wouldn’t, so it is what it is and he got what he deserved!
Danm says
My last bill from auto insurance big increase because of all these people.
TR says
I don’t believe we know if the carjacker had car insurance. Heck we don’t even know if he had a drivers license. But what we do know is he’s died.
Laurel says
Skibum: The vast majority of cars on I-95 in this area (from Jacksonville to Daytona) do 80-90 mph, and up. There is very little incentive to do less. Mostly, I don’t mind, but a real problem is people using the left lane as the cruising lane, and not the passing lane. We would have less problems if people would use the left land for passing, and move back over when they’ve passed. Add to that, a visible presence of FHP. That would make a difference.
What’s annoying is Flagler Beach Police sit at the bottom of the bridge trying to catch people whose vehicles naturally speed up a bit with gravity. It’s hard to respect that.
Could of been your family says
So for some reason NONE of you people are taking into consideration that yes “these criminals” as you call them may have been committing a crime. HOWEVER, they still have FAMILIES, mothers, fathers, spouses, CHILDREN, that do NOT deserve to have to see all the disgusting NEGATIVE comments under all of these articles. It’s not just the victim and their family that has to deal with something like this it is also the “criminals” family that has to deal with the loss of a loved ones life. Put yourselves in their shoes…. Yeah this person made a dumb choice but their family didn’t and they are the ones that are reading these comments on these articles. How would you feel if this was your husband, boyfriend, brother, uncle, cousin, or better yet FATHER, and this is what people are saying about him??!!! It’s absolutely DISGUSTING. Have some kind of respect for EVERYONE’S families in these situations.