JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One person died and two others were injured on Friday in a hit-and-run crash on University Boulevard South near St. Cecilia, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Sergeant Hunter said the crash happened at about 3:15 p.m. in the 1900 block of University Boulevard South.
A Nissan was driving north on University at the same time as a Dodge Challenger, driving at a high rate of speed.
Hunter said the Challenger struck the Nissan, causing both cars to spin out. The Nissan struck a telephone pole and burst into flames.
The Challenger spun out into oncoming traffic and struck a Toyota heading south.
The Challenger driver got out of the car and ran away without calling for help or rendering aid, Hunter said.
The suspect is described as a white man in his early to mid 20s with a tan complexion.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue put out the fire and said the Nissan driver died at the scene. The other two occupants of the Toyota were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening condition.
A witness who tried to help at the crash scene described what he saw.
“I heard this muscle car coming towards me flying past me had to be going over 100 miles an hour and I thought, oh God. I turned around and I see it smack into this vehicle that was trying to weave through traffic, and the vehicle spun around and engulfed in flames pretty quickly,” Nick Fudge said.
He said he called 911 as he ran to the car and ripped the door handle off, kicked the window in, but didn’t see anyone or hear anything.
“I’m not sure I’m hoping that they were out on impact to be honest with you. But it was so engulfed in flames, I was unable to really do anything else,” Fudge said.
Anyone with information is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or email crimetips@jaxsheriff.org.
This is the second traffic fatality in Duval County in 2026. The 1900 block of University Boulevard South will be blocked for another two hours.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area.