The Shands Bridge in St. Johns County has reopened following a closure that was prompted by a crash and subsequent fuel spill, the incident took place Saturday afternoon and involved a collision between a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer, as reported by News4Jax.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 44-year-old woman operating the pickup truck was traveling east on State Road 16 when she failed to maintain a single lane, causing her vehicle to directly strike the tractor-trailer traveling in the opposite direction. The clash resulted in the woman being quickly transported, with serious injuries, to Orange Park Medical Center. First Coast News notes that the incident led to a temporary full lane closure on the bridge.
Details from the Florida Highway Patrol further indicated that the driver of the tractor-trailer, a 49-year-old man from St. Johns County, did not sustain any injuries in the accident. Both drivers were confirmed to have been wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Reported by Action News Jax, the collision remains under investigation, with authorities working to piece together the events leading up to the unfortunate event.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue and Clay County Fire Rescue were among the first responders at the scene, ensuring the injured were promptly cared for and the area secured. As the investigation continues to unfold and understand the circumstances anchoring this incident, the bridge has since been cleared and resumed normal traffic flow, easing the commute for local drivers who have become accustomed to its daily convenience.
