FHP: Man dies in 4-vehicle crash in Clay County

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A man died in a four-vehicle crash Tuesday night in Clay County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Clemente Ainza, 79, was riding with his wife, Adelaida Ainza, 69, when their Acura MDX was hit by another SUV trying to merge into the northbound lanes of U.S. 17, the FHP report said.

The Ainzas' SUV spun into the center median, then flipped several times, hitting the front of a Chevy Tahoe and the back corner of a GMC Canyon in the southbound lanes of U.S. 17.

It landed on its roof in the right shoulder ditch, and Clemente Ainza died at the scene.

Adelaida Ainza, who suffered only scratches in the crash, said her husband was a retired postal worker who served in the Navy.

Troopers said the crash happened near Eagle Harbor Parkway around 7:24 p.m.

The Ford Edge that hit the Ainza's SUV was driven by 64-year-old Michael Faria, who was riding with his wife, 53-year-old Carola Faria.

The FHP said the Farias were leaving their subdivision, right off U.S. 17 and made it across the southbound lanes safely to the median, but when Michael Faria tried turning with the northbound traffic, he hit the side of the Ainzas' passing SUV.

Megan Macelroy, 17, who was driving the Tahoe that was hit by the flipping SUV, was taken to St. Vincents Hospital in Clay County with minor injures.

The driver of the GMC Canyon, 53-year-old Anna Sharp, and the Canyon's passenger, 67-year-old Karen Stonecipher, were not injured, FHP said.

Charges are pending in the crash.


About the Authors:

Emmy-nominated journalist Kristin Cason joined the News 6 team in June 2016.