Man killed when tree branch falls on cars in Ortega, Jacksonville police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man was killed Wednesday when a tree branch fell and hit two vehicles in Ortega as Tropical Storm Elsa moved through North Florida, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office said a Dodge Challenger and a Toyota SUV were driving north on Roosevelt Boulevard, just south of Yacht Club Road, when a branch hanging over the road gave way and struck both vehicles.

Police said the roof of the Dodge, which was traveling in the far right lane, was ripped off and the driver, a 25-year-old man, was killed. Police said the Dodge veered off the road and struck a utility pole.

There was minor damage to the Toyota, which was traveling in the middle lane, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Police said the driver of that vehicle was not injured.

Roosevelt Boulevard was closed from Ortega Boulevard to Yacht Club Road following the crash, and traffic was diverted to Ortega Boulevard.