JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police are investigating one of their own after a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office lieutenant struck a pedestrian on Interstate 95 near the Eighth Street exit, killing her.
According to JSO, Lt. Jimmy Ricks was in a marked patrol vehicle on his way to work at 5:39 a.m. when he struck 27-year-old Laporsha Watson (pictured below) in the northbound lanes.
Watson, who was walking westbound, was also hit by a second vehicle, police said.
They said she was walking about 30 to 50 feet from the raised crosswalk that straddles the highway.
According to JSO Assistant Chief Chris Butler, the crosswalk was open and functioning at the time of the crash.
Police have not said how fast the officer was driving. The posted speed limit along that stretch of highway is 55 mph.
Channel 4 safety expert Ken Jefferson said that with an accident like this, the fault would usually lie with the person who chose to cross the interstate, which is illegal. He said it's likely the officer will not be cited.