ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County leaders met with Durbin Crossing residents Wednesday night to address growing traffic safety concerns along Longleaf Pine Parkway, which have intensified following the death of a 12-year-old boy last month.
The child was struck and killed in a crosswalk outside Patriot Oaks Academy while riding a small, gas-powered dirt bike. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has since confirmed that reckless or impaired driving was not a factor in the crash and that no criminal charges will be filed.
Nine residents stepped forward during the meeting to share their concerns about traffic on Longleaf Pine Parkway, including Durbin Crossing resident Leonie Halstead.
“I just have a lot of concerns about the traffic volume and speed on Longleaf Pine. I think it’s gotten really excessive in the last few years,” Halstead said.
Halstead also expressed worry about future development in the area and its potential impact on traffic, but expressed gratitude toward decisions like the one to place flashing pedestrian lights in front of Patriot Oaks Academy.
St. Johns County Public Works said it plans to install traffic beacons on either side of the crosswalk outside the school, which will require pedestrians to press a button to activate flashing lights, signaling to drivers that someone is attempting to cross.
District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst said the beacons are a step in the right direction, but emphasized that children must also remain alert.
“Children need to use it judiciously,” he said. “They need to make sure that they’re paying attention as much when they use the beacon as they did when there was not a beacon.”
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick shared during the meeting that deputies have increased their presence along Longleaf Pine Parkway since the crash.
“We’ve had a lot of complaints that people bring into our attention about speeding of course on Longleaf Pine Parkway, and we always try to put people at ease sometimes by showing a presence in the area,” Hardwick said.
Commissioner Whitehurst shared with News4JAX that the traffic beacons will be installed within the next 60 to 90 days.
For residents who missed Wednesday’s meeting and wish to share their concerns about safety on Longleaf Pine Parkway, both Commissioner Whitehurst and Sheriff Hardwick are available to be reached directly.