JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 17-year-old is facing multiple serious charges after a fiery crash on Atlantic Boulevard killed a father and his two sons earlier this year.
Sidney Harrell was arrested July 6 on a warrant during a traffic stop — after JSO says an officer caught him speeding again, more than four months after the deadly crash. He faces three counts each of vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and DUI causing injury, as well as a charge of driving while license suspended or revoked.
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Deadly chain reaction
On the afternoon of March 1, JSO officers responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Atlantic Boulevard in the Empire Point area.
Witnesses told detectives Harrell was traveling westbound when he crossed the median into oncoming traffic, striking another vehicle head-on before crashing into a second vehicle. The first vehicle was then struck by another car and burst into flames, trapping three people inside.
Despite efforts by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, a 50-year-old man and his two sons — ages 13 and 14 — died at the scene. Three other individuals were seriously injured.
Speed, recklessness, impairment: What investigators say they found
JSO says its Traffic Homicide Unit launched an investigation, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Detectives learned Harrell did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash. He only possessed a learner’s permit, which had been suspended in January 2026.
JSO says surveillance video showed Harrell driving at a high rate of speed. Data from the vehicle’s electronic data recorder showed he had the accelerator at 100% and was traveling 98 mph on Atlantic Boulevard just seconds before impact.
A witness also reported that Harrell had been weaving in and out of traffic and appeared to be smoking a “blunt” at a red light. A toxicology test confirmed a large amount of THC in Harrell’s system at the time of the crash.
Charges
He is charged with:
- Driving while license suspended or revoked
- Three counts of vehicular homicide
- Three counts of DUI manslaughter
- Three counts of DUI causing injury