Two people were killed early Friday morning, June 19, 2026, when their car crashed through a bridge railing and plunged into the water beneath a rural span in Macclenny, Baker County. The wreck happened around 6:30 a.m. on County Road 23C near Ruben Crawford Road, according to state troopers. A 31-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, both from Jacksonville, were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said neither was wearing a seat belt.
As reported by News4JAX, the Florida Highway Patrol said the vehicle was heading east on County Road 23C when it lost control, hit the bridge railing, rolled onto its roof and ended up fully submerged in the water beneath the bridge. The initial crash report did not provide many details beyond that description as troopers continue to investigate what went wrong.
Where It Happened
The County Road 23C crossing where the vehicle entered the water spans an overflow of the St. Marys River. State bridge records list the structure as "CR 23C over St Marys River" and show it was built in 1955. The Florida Department of Transportation bridge inventory indicates the crossing carries about 1,600 vehicles a day, underscoring that this is a rural two-lane route rather than a high-volume highway.
Seat Belts And Safety
Troopers said both victims were unrestrained when the car left the roadway. The NHTSA notes that wearing a seat belt can cut the risk of fatal injury for front-seat occupants by about 45%, and that nearly half of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2024 were not buckled up. It is a stark reminder of how quickly a crash that might have been survivable can turn deadly, especially on rural roads where help can be farther away.
Investigation
The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the investigation and had not released additional information on the cause or any contributing factors early Friday. As News4JAX notes, the agency has not said whether speed, impairment or anything else is suspected at this stage.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol. Contact details and live-incident resources are available on the agency’s Florida Highway Patrol traffic incidents page. This story will be updated when troopers release more details or publicly identify the victims.
