Clay County deputy crashes stopping to help after double fatal head-on accident

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A deputy crashed while stopping to a help after a double fatal accident near Green Cove Springs on Saturday night.

Sgt. Dylan Bryan with Florida Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 8:45 p.m. on County Road 209 near Pine Hollow Road.  According to the FHP, one of the cars crossed the center lane road and hit the other car head on.

Bryan said Deputy Bryant Wiggins was driving on CR 209 -- also known as Russell Road -- when he spotted one of the crashed vehicles in a ditch. Wiggins slowed down to assist when he crashed into a 1990 silver Hyundai.

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There were passengers in all three vehicles involved. An inmate in the back of Deputy Wiggins' cruiser was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. 

Bryan said two people died at the scene, who were identified as Stacey Peternel (pictured below), 37, and Shanice Sadi Johnson, 23.

Petrnel was driving a red Dodge Neon and Johnson was driving the silver Hyundai. Johnson's 2-year-old daughter who was in the car with her survived and was taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Bryan said everyone involved in the accident was wearing their seat belt.

The section of County Road 209 between Sandridge Road and Pine Hollow Road was closed for several hours after the crash.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office said they've heard concerns from the public, and this road has seen its share of accidents. They said this year, there have been at least 30 accidents along County Road 209 this year. 


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.