FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. – A 74-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman were killed in Fleming Island on Tuesday when the car they were riding in was T-boned by a truck that ran a red light, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said Martin G. Nee and Louise Lyford Nee of Orange Park were inside a gold Toyota Camry heading east on Village Square Parkway about 12:15 p.m. and attempted to turn left onto U.S. 17. According to troopers, a man in a white pickup truck ran the red light, T-boning the car.
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Martin and Louise Nee died at the scene. The driver of the truck, 26-year-old Sherman Calvin Braswell, was not injured.
"I think this intersection is dangerous, because people are not paying attention when they come through. They want to beat the light," said Josie Hopkins, a former Sheriff's Office employee. "I think it's an awful tragedy, and it should never have happened."
Troopers said Braswell was cooperating with investigators.
"I got a call from my mom making sure I was OK. (It's) very sad, very unfortunate that these two people had to go this way," Fleming Island resident Caleb Connolly said. "I feel bad for the family this had to happen to. Hopefully, they rest in peace."
The southbound lanes of U.S. 17 were closed through mid-afternoon while the accident was investigated and cleared.