JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 63-year-old man died in a traffic crash Sunday afternoon at the intersection in front of Jacksonville University, and police said the driver of a second vehicle involved in the wreck fought officers trying to stop him from leaving the scene.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Robert Hyde, a JU student, was driving south on University Boulevard about 3:45 p.m. and stopped for a red light at Merrill Road. When the light turned green, Hyde started to accelerate into the intersection when his pickup truck was struck by a car coming off Merrill Road that police say didn't stop for a red light.
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According to the report, the car that ran the red light driven by 20-year-old Jonathan Lindsay struck driver's door of Hyde's pickup. Hyde was transported to UF Health Jacksonville, where he died.
Police said Lindsay was sitting on the grass when officers arrived and a witness said, "Stop that guy in the plaid shirt. He caused the whole thing."
According to the arrest report, when the officer approached, he turned and attempted to run away, then grabbed the officer's shirt and began fighting. When he would not comply with commands to stop fighting and continued to resist, an officer deployed his Taser gun.
The report says when Lindsay continued to struggle and get up, the Taser was activated a second time. At that point, officers were able to get handcuffs on him, but he "continued to resist by kicking and tensing up his body."
Lindsay was finally placed into a patrol car and checked by Jacksonville Fire-Rescue personnel. He was ultimately taken UF Health, where he was absentee booked with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.
The officers involved in the struggle were left covered in blood.
The intersection was closed to traffic for several hours while police investigated and cleared the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by traffic homicide detectives.
JU released this statement on the crash: "The Jacksonville University community is deeply saddened by the fatal automobile collision involving one of our students that occurred outside our campus entrance Sunday afternoon. Our deepest condolences are with the family, friends and colleagues of Robert Hyde and all affected by this tragic event. The university is providing any and all assistance to the relevant authorities as may be requested at this time."