JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One week after his death, the family of a Jacksonville man is remembering a father and loved one killed in a crash on the Main Street Bridge.
According to police, 42-year-old Antonio Van Muller lost control of his vehicle during the Wednesday morning commute last week. Investigators say his car struck a right-hand retaining wall before veering into oncoming traffic, where it collided with another vehicle. The other driver was taken to a hospital. Muller died from his injuries.
Renata Brooks, Muller’s cousin, said she last spoke with him about a week before the crash. She described him as a close family member whose loss has been difficult to process.
“I was just like, life is life,” Brooks said of their last conversation. “And he’s like, yeah, we all go through it.”
Brooks said Muller leaves behind three children and a large, tight-knit family now struggling to cope with the sudden loss.
She recalled learning about his death through a phone call from a relative early that morning.
“It really didn’t hit. It really didn’t process,” Brooks said.
Brooks said the tragedy serves as a reminder of how quickly life can change.
“We often move around like we have time when we don’t,” she said.
As the family plans Muller’s funeral, Brooks said they are leaning on their faith and urging others to prepare for the unexpected, including securing life insurance to ease financial burdens on loved ones.
Police have not released the exact cause of the crash but said rainy, wet conditions that morning may have been a factor.
Muller’s death marks the 60th traffic fatality in Jacksonville this year.