A 71-year-old Fleming Island man was fatally struck by a pickup truck while attempting to cross U.S. Highway 17 yesterday night, as per the Florida Highway Patrol. The collision occurred near Park Avenue and Wells Road at around 9:05 p.m., according to a news release obtained by Action News Jax.
The incident involved the pedestrian walking directly into the center lane of the northbound side of the highway, where a 55-year-old Jacksonville man was operating his pickup truck. Unable to stop in time, the truck struck the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Information from a report by News4Jax indicates that the driver, who was wearing his seat belt, did not sustain injuries.
FHP officials relayed that the victim was trying to cross the road when he crossed directly in the path of the oncoming vehicle. First Coast News reports that the truck driver was not at fault as he was unable to avoid the sudden collision.
Investigations by the FHP into the precise circumstances of the accident are ongoing.
