Watch Live

Watch Live
Weekend newscasts online

°

Homepage / Jacksonville News
Text Size

Search Continues For Woman Who Fell From Bridge

POSTED: Friday, July 9, 2004
UPDATED: 8:13 am EDT July 10, 2004

The search continues for a 46-year-old woman who was thrown from a vehicle and fell 150 feet into the St. Johns River after a crash on the Mathews Bridge Thursday night. The 13-year-old boy who was with her waits and hopes that his mother is found alive.

Jeep on Mathews BridgeInvestigators said they're not sure why Donna Campbell lost control of the Jeep Wrangler just after 7 p.m. While the vehicle was on the wet grating at the top of the span, it hit the inside wall, spun around and hit the outside railing, flinging her from the vehicle and over the side of the bridge.

"The driver was ejected out over the railing into the St. Johns River," Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Leeper said. "The 13-year-old was also ejected out onto the pavement. He had minor injuries and was treated at the scene."

Donna Campbell
Donna Campbell
The crash shut down traffic on the bridge for several hours as several agencies searched the waters below the bridge for any signs of the mother.

The teen -- identified as Adam Lee Campbell but called A.J. by his family -- stayed at the scene Thursday night waiting for any news from the search.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is working with the FHP to coordinate a continuing search for the woman. The search was suspended around midnight and resumed early Friday morning. A Coast Guard boat then suspended search efforts at 8:15 a.m. Friday, but boats and divers from local agencies and Florida Fish and Wildlife continue to search for Campbell.

Video

As of Friday afternoon, divers and helicopters were still searching the river, and crews set up a base of operations at the Metro Park docks.

Because of weather conditions, they believe the body could surface later Friday. Officials said once her body comes back to the surface, the tide could carry her anywhere.

"She'll be found soon," Leeper said. "Hopefully sooner than later."

Campbell and other family members were returning home from the Amtrak station, heading eastbound on the bridge. Her 21-year-old daughter, Cecelia Lee, was driving in front of them and saw the accident in her rearview mirror.

"It's very sad, and if they had been wearing their seat belt, this would not have happened," Leeper said.

Boats searching St. Johns River Police told Channel 4 that at least 281 accidents were recorded on the Mathews Bridge in the past year, and some people claim the metal grating on the bridge makes the bridge a dangerous place to drive.

A disgruntled driver filed suit over the safety of the bridge last month. The city and the Florida Department of Transportation say they are looking into it. There are preliminary plans to replace the bridge, but that could take 10 years and cost more than $700 million.

Tiny 4 logoChannel 4 has a crew at the scene and will report any developments in the search as they occur.

On the Net: http://www.mathewsbridge.com/

Sponsored Links

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

It was bound to happen. There are now applications for your cell phone that can help you avoid speeding tickets as well as traffic jams. Drive carefully. More

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

Most Popular