1 dead in collision on Atlantic Boulevard

Police: Alcohol possibly a factor in crash in head-on crash

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, – Police said one person is dead and another was injured Saturday morning in a crash between two vehicles on Atlantic Boulevard in St. Nicholas.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office detectives said the collision happened about 7 a.m.   Atlantic Boulevard west of University Boulevard, near Pottsburg Creek, was closed all morning and reopened around 1 p.m. Saturday.

45-year-old Chantel A. Jonson, of Jacksonville, died at the scene, according to JSO spokeswoman Melissa Bujeda. The driver of the Ford SUV was not named, but was taken to University of Florida Health Jacksonville with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Bujeda.

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"A Ford sport utility vehicle was traveling westbound on Atlantic Boulevard," Bujeda wrote in an e-mailed statement. "A Nissan vehicle was traveling eastbound on Atlantic Boulevard. The SUV lost control and crossed the raised concrete median and struck the Nissan vehicle head on."

Saturday afternoon, police were still looking for another driver believed to be involved in the crash.

"There was allegedly a small red Pontiac vehicle that the maroon Ford SUV almost struck when the driver lost control," Bujeda wrote. "Investigators are looking to identify and speak to the driver of the small red Pontiac vehicle to gather further details."

Police said alcohol use may be a factor in the crash.

The crash caused massive traffic delays on the Southside, especially because the Mathews Bridge was closed for repairs. Officers on the scene detoured drivers to Beach Boulevard for nearly six hours.

Anyone who has any information about the red Pontiac or the driver is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500.