Friday afternoon turned deadly in St. Johns County when a train hit a pedestrian at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Lewis Speedway, a crash that shut down the east-west lanes and drew a heavy response from law enforcement. Deputies later reported that the intersection had been cleared, traffic was moving again, and the Major Crimes Unit had taken over the investigation.
Officials at the scene
In a Facebook update, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said deputies shut down the east- and westbound lanes at the U.S. 1 and Lewis Speedway rail crossing while they worked the fatal incident, while traffic flowing north and south on U.S. 1 kept moving. The post also flagged a noticeable law-enforcement presence in the area and confirmed that the Major Crimes Unit would lead the investigation, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Traffic cleared and roadway reopened
Local station News4JAX reported that crews later cleared the intersection and reopened the roadway on Friday, after investigators finished processing the scene that had initially blocked the east-west lanes. The outlet noted its coverage would be refreshed as new details are released.
What officials are asking
Authorities have not yet made public the pedestrian’s name or the identity of the train operator, and investigators say additional information will be shared when appropriate. The sheriff’s office is urging anyone who may have seen what happened or has relevant information to contact the Major Crimes Unit or call the non-emergency number listed on the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office website for tips and media inquiries.
Drivers who regularly travel this stretch of U.S. 1 should be prepared for occasional backups when serious incidents occur at rail crossings, as local agencies typically put out traffic alerts while crews secure and clear the area. We will update this story as officials release more information.
