A devastating incident occurred on Baymeadows Road, where Mitchell Patch, a math teacher at Bayview Elementary School, and his 1-year-old son Everett were struck by a vehicle and killed. The accident happened on a Friday night around 8:30 p.m., according to News4JAX. Bayview Elementary's Principal, Kelly York, communicated the tragic news to the school community, mentioning, "We will all certainly remember Mr. Patch for his incredible commitment to students and to the teaching profession. He was a dedicated educator and well-loved and respected member of our Brave family," the principal's message stated.
The aftermath of the tragedy was felt by those at Wicked Barley Brewing Company, where Dylan Williams, the manager, said they were in the middle of a rush when the event occurred. "Next thing you know, we just started seeing flashing lights. It started getting bigger. So we kind of figured something more intense happened," Williams told JaxToday. The venue was hosting a large gathering that included family members who were suddenly thrown into mourning.
This fatal accident has contributed to increasing concerns over pedestrian safety in the area. The response has been immediate with friends of the Patch family petitioning for improvements. They are calling upon the mayor, the Jacksonville Transit Authority, and the Florida Department of Transportation to install a crosswalk and enhance lighting at the location of the mishap, as cited by WOKV. Currently, the nearest crosswalks are at a considerable distance, either 1,600 feet away at San Jose Boulevard or 3,400 feet away at Craven Road.
The issue has gained attention from local officials as well, with Councilman Joe Carlucci expressing that his office has escalated the matter to traffic engineering and has made FDOT aware of the demands for a crosswalk. At the school where Mitchell Patch taught, the response to the loss included the presence of specially trained school counselors and social workers to provide support to those affected by the deaths, reaffirming the message from Principal York about the community's tremendous loss, as reported by News4JAX.
