8 people sent to hospital after 4-car accident

Witnesses: Car was speeding, caused wreck

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Eight people were injured Friday night after an accident involving four vehicles on Townsend Boulevard near Merrill Road that a witnesses says was caused by a car going more that twice the speed limit.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said officers arrived at the scene of the accident around 5:30 p.m. Friday and found multiple people were involved in the crash and some were severely injured. 

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Police said two people involved in the crash were in life-threatening condition and were transported to UF Health.

"We arrived on the scene and found there were four cars involved," said JSO Sgt. GJ Foxworth. "There were two people that are considered life-threatening at this time."

The four cars involved in the accident were all northbound on Townsend Boulevard. 

Witnesses told Channel 4 that a red Pontiac was speeding and hit a red truck. That truck then hit two other vehicles and came to rest on Merrill Road.

Witnesses also said the Pontiac was driving faster than 80 mph, but police said that has not been determined.  The speed limit on Townsend Boulevard is 35 mph.

Sheriff's Office officials said they are investigating to see if alcohol was a factor in the crash. 

The driver of the Pontiac is currently in police custody.