A tragic collision on San Jose Boulevard in the Mandarin area has resulted in the death of a motorcyclist and critical injuries to an SUV passenger, as reported by multiple sources. The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. yesterday evening when an elderly couple in a Subaru SUV was making a left turn and crossed into the path of two oncoming motorcyclists, according to details provided by the News4Jax.
While one motorcyclist managed to evade the SUV, the second, a man in his mid-20s, was not able to maneuver in time and collided with the vehicle. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office confirmed that the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, First Coast News reported. The elderly passenger of the Subaru, having suffered life-threatening injuries, was rushed to a local hospital.
The driver of the SUV, a woman in her 80s, escaped the crash without injuries. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, with officials unclear whether speed was a factor, but the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office noted there was significant damage to both vehicles involved. According to Action News Jax, the names of the individuals have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
This accident marked the 34th traffic fatality in Duval County this year, with six involving motorcyclists, as stated by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. In the aftermath of the collision, the northbound lanes of San Jose Boulevard were closed at Loretto Road for an additional hour as clean-up crews worked on the scene. Local authorities have reminded the public of the heightened risks motorcyclists face on the road and the importance of caution when driving near them.
