Man dies after driving into retention pond in Fleming Island, troopers say

FHP: 17-year-old passenger not hurt

FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. – A man died after driving into a retention pond in Fleming Island early Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said they were called around 3:20 a.m. to the accident in Neptune Park off Thunderbolt Road. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office dive team also responded.

According to FHP, a 34-year-old Orange Park man was driving a sedan west on Thunderbolt Road when the car went into the pond. Troopers said the man died at the scene.

According to troopers, there was a 17-year-old Orange Park boy was a passenger in the vehicle, but he was not injured.

Later in the morning, a tow truck pulled the car, a silver four-door Nissan Altima, from the retention pond.

Multiple neighbors told News4Jax they often hear cars racing on Thunderbolt Road leading into the park where the pond is located. They said Sunday around 2 a.m. was no different.

“They just race up and down the street, and it’s very scary,” said a neighbor, who did not wish to be identified. “It’s right behind the school, and there’s a lot of small children in this community.”

The Highway Patrol is leading the investigation.