A student riding an e-bike was critically injured yesterday after being struck by a car in front of Patriot Oaks Academy in St. Johns County, turning a busy stretch of Long Leaf Pine Parkway into an active emergency scene.
First responders rushed to Long Leaf Pine Parkway in the Durbin Crossing neighborhood, where emergency crews described the student's injuries as life-threatening. Deputies from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office responded, and nearby lanes were shut down while medics and investigators worked at the scene.
In a statement to News4JAX, the St. Johns County School District said the child had been riding an e-bike in front of the school on Long Leaf Pine Parkway when the collision occurred. St. Johns County Fire Rescue told the outlet the student suffered life-threatening injuries, and the sheriff's office is treating the case as a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. At the time of the initial reports, Long Leaf Pine Parkway near the academy was closed to traffic.
How the School Handles Bikers and Walkers
Patriot Oaks Academy is located within the Durbin Crossing neighborhood, and the school's website spells out detailed arrival and dismissal routines for students who bike or walk. The campus uses separate "red" and "blue" pick-up lots and a structured plan designed to move students safely off school grounds.
According to Patriot Oaks Academy, bikers and walkers are instructed to meet parents across the street and to use the school's designated front entrances during arrival and dismissal times.
E-Bike Incidents Have Risen Locally
The crash comes amid a sharp rise in local e-bike incidents. As reported by News4JAX, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office responded to 20 e-bike incidents in the first five months of 2025, compared with just eight in all of 2024.
Regional concerns have been heightened by a recent deadly crash in neighboring Flagler County. FlaglerLive reported that a Palm Coast rider was killed in an e-bike collision on Feb. 8.
What to Expect Next
Investigators have not released the student's name or additional information about their condition. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and the school district say updates will come through official channels as they are able to share more.
Parents and drivers in the Durbin Crossing area should plan for delays near Patriot Oaks Academy and are urged to keep an eye on alerts from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and district communications posted via Patriot Oaks Academy.
