Man dies after driving truck into Intracoastal Waterway, police say

Driver plunged truck into water near Hopson Road, Beach Boulevard

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – A 46-year-old Neptune Beach man died Monday when his truck drove into the Intracoastal Waterway near Hopson Road and Beach Boulevard, according to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said they received a call about a truck in the water at about 8:34 a.m.

Helen Kelbel told News4Jax that she and a friend were walking when they heard a loud noise, like the acceleration of a truck. She said she turned to look and saw a man drive the truck into the water.

"It was a huge splash and the truck just sat there floating," Kelbel said. "We thought he might have had a heart attack."

The woman said two men fishing nearby heard also saw the man drive into the water. The fisherman described the driver as a heavy-set man in his 30s. 

According to Jacksonville Beach Police Sgt. Thomas Crumley, the man, who News4Jax is not naming, refused to get out of the truck as officers were trying to talk to him. 

Crumley said the man drove around the guardrail to get into the water. 

Crumley said a dive team was called because the current was too dangerous for uniformed officers to enter. 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials were also on scene. 

Authorities said they were able to retrieve the man's body. 


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.