A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle early Thursday on U.S. 301 northbound near the Red Dog Saloon and was reported to have sustained serious injuries, according to authorities.
Emergency crews blocked one northbound lane while deputies and first responders worked the scene, and drivers were warned to expect delays heading into Starke through about 7 a.m. The sheriff’s office pushed out a traffic alert on social media as deputies investigated the collision.
According to a Facebook post by Sheriff Gordon Smith, deputies were investigating a traffic collision involving a pedestrian on U.S. 301 northbound between County Road 221 North and County Road 227 near the Red Dog Saloon. The post said one northbound lane was blocked by emergency services while responders were on scene and that traffic was delayed in the area.
Where It Happened and Local Crash History
The stretch of U.S. 301 through Starke has a well-documented history of collisions since the bypass opened, and local officials have repeatedly flagged safety concerns on the route. That history was detailed by WUFT, which reported the bypass saw roughly 281 crashes since 2019 and accounted for about 18.8% of Bradford County crashes through 2024.
Traffic Impacts and What Drivers Should Do
Motorists should expect continued delays while law enforcement clears the scene and investigates, the sheriff’s update said. For non-emergency tips or to contact investigators, see the Bradford County Sheriff's Office website or call the department at (904) 966-6380, per the agency's contact page at the Bradford County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's post did not provide further details about the vehicle or whether any charges will be filed at this time. We will update this report if the sheriff's office or other official sources release additional information.
