Video reveals moments leading to deadly high-speed crash in Jacksonville Beach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Alarming video obtained Wednesday by News4Jax shows a crash in Jacksonville Beach in which a 21-year-old man was killed.

News4Jax has blurred a portion of the video, showing the car the man was driving. The driver who was in a pickup truck that was seen flipping several times, a 27-year-old, was hospitalized after the crash and was later released.

The Jacksonville Beach Police Department said speed appears to be a factor in the crash. Detectives said they believe the driver of the pickup truck was at fault.

READ: Police: Man, 21, killed in high-speed Jacksonville Beach crash

The crash happened late Monday evening on 3rd Street North near 11th Avenue North.

Detectives have identified both drivers. Their names were not immediately released, however, family members of the 21-year-old told News4Jax that they were devastated and that he was driving home from work at the time of the crash.

The pickup truck collided with a utility pole that fell and nearly hit Kyle Bramel’s apartment. He rushed out his front door to check on the pickup driver.

“I saw him. He started moving a little bit, so I know he was still alive," Bramel said. "Then a female ran up and checked his pulse and said he had a pulse.”

Brook Asher heard the crash from across the street and ran outside.

“I didn’t even see the white truck at first," Asher said. "All I could see was the car wrapped around the pole.”

Tony Berry, Asher’s neighbor, was seen on video running across the street to help the driver of the car.

“I went to the passenger door and looked in, and there was nothing anyone could have done for that person," Berry said.

Berry said he believes speeding is an occasional problem along A1A late at night.

Bramel wasn’t surprised to learn that speed appears to be a factor in the crash.

“If you’re speeding on 3rd street, you’re going to get pulled over," Bramel said. "I think it’s a lot of people who don’t live here that usually speed.”

Sgt. Tonya Tator, with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, acknowledged that officers had received a call about a reckless driver coming from St. Johns County a little earlier. She said detectives are trying to see whether it’s the same person behind the wheel of the truck.

Detectives are working to determine whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.


About the Author:

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.