JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two people died early Wednesday morning when a gray BMW lost control on University Boulevard South and slammed into a Firehouse Subs building before bursting into flames, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Police said around 1:20 a.m. the BMW was headed north near Terry Road and the driver, who was speeding, lost control at the curve, sending the car careening into the Firehouse Subs building.
Surveillance video shared with News4JAX from a nearby gas station shows the car flying by before skidding off the road and plowing through the exterior wall, ending up fully inside the building. The car instantly burst into flames.
Note: Press play below to watch a portion of the video with the car highlighted. We have chosen to stop the video at the moment it first hits the building.
Investigators said the genders and approximate ages of the driver and passenger, who both died at the scene, are unknown.
No one else was injured.
The restaurant sustained significant damage from the crash and fire. News4JAX reached out to Firehouse Subs corporate and a spokesperson sent this statement:
Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of those impacted from today’s accident. The Firehouse restaurant at Englewood was not open during the time of the accident and no team members or guests were present. We are working to support local authorities as needed.
The vehicle was pulled out of the building and towed away.
Crews are working a traffic accident at University blvd and Terry road with a car vs a building resulting in a fiery crash and multiple fatalities. @JSOPIO
— THEJFRD (@THEJFRD) August 16, 2023
Traffic Homicide detectives and Medical Examiner’s Office personnel were at the scene investigating.
JSO said investigators were looking for surveillance video at nearby businesses.
This marks the 110th and the 111th traffic fatalities in Duval County this year, according to JSO.
Previous fatal crash
It’s not the first time someone has died after crashing into the Firehouse Subs building near that curve of University Boulevard.
Grace Jimenez, 41, lost control of her motorcycle in April 2018 when she hit a curb just after 3 a.m. as she turned too wide from University Boulevard South onto Terry Road, according to police.
Jimenez, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene.
A memorial marker with flowers now stands outside the Firehouse Subs building, surrounded by yellow barrier poles.