JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A police officer might face a citation after running a red light early Tuesday morning, causing a crash that seriously injured a 78-year-old man, police said.
A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office spokesman said a 78-year-old driver was headed west on Town Center Parkway in a Jeep SUV, attempting to turn onto St. Johns Bluff Road, when an officer traveling east on Town Center Parkway ran the red light while detouring around construction in a JSO cruiser.
The driver was taken to the hospital with serious injuries to his neck and back. The JSO officer was not hurt.
It’s unclear if the driver of the Jeep was wearing a seat belt.
Lt. Rich Buoye said investigators have not determined fault yet in the accident but added that if the officer is found to be responsible for the crash, he will face traffic and administrative citations.
He said it did not appear that the officer was speeding at the time of the crash.
The impact sent the SUV into the tree line, hitting traffic-light hardware which knocked out power for several traffic lights on Town Center Parkway. Police directed traffic in the area until the signals were restored about 9:30 a.m.