PALATKA, Fla. – A Hawthorne teenager died early Saturday morning after the pickup truck he was driving struck two deer and crashed into a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said a Dodge Ram driven by Jackson Jerolaman, 16, was headed west on Old Gainesville Highway near Twin Lakes Road about 3:30 a.m. when two deer ran into the road.
The 16-year-old lost control of the pickup after it struck both deer and then veered off the road and struck a tree, troopers said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two passengers, ages 17 and 21, were taken to Putnam Community Hospital with minor injuries.
Jackson's father, Jody Jerolaman, said
"He said he drove through the deer, but as soon as that happens, then he slammed on his brakes out of instinct and I think slamming on your brakes like that, that can cause steering problems," Jerolaman said.
Friends from Interlachen High School created a memorial at the accident site.
Jackson was Jerolaman's only child.
"Jackson was a good kid, did good in school, loved life to the fullest," Jody Jerolaman. "To see all the friends he has -- hundreds of friends that her mourning for him -- makes me very proud of him (and) shows what kind of person he was."
Friends said it's been difficult sitting in class without Jackson.
"The people that are suffering the worst are the two gentlemen that were with them that day," Mason Hayes said. "Everybody is pretty traumatized by the whole thing. Jackson impacted a lot of people's lives."
"The past two days at school, it's just been quiet and heartbreaking," Brock Beasley said.
Florida Highway Patrol statistics to show just how prevalent these types of crashes are in Northeast Florida. Between January 2017 through late November there have been 259 accidents involving a deer or large animal. The county with the most of the accidents -- 98 -- was Putnam County.
That doesn't surprise the grieving father who lives there.
"If you were driving at night, you can count 10 to 12 deer if you're on the right road every night," Jerolaman said.