JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A multi-vehicle crash involving two Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles left one person hospitalized early Thursday morning, according to a Florida Traffic Crash Report filed by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred just before 1 a.m. at the intersection of Cassat Avenue and Edgewood Avenue S in Jacksonville.
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What happened
A 2017 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling north on Cassat Avenue at an estimated 45 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. The driver attempted to turn left from Cassat Avenue onto northbound Edgewood Avenue S, according to the report.
A 2021 Ford Explorer — a JSO patrol vehicle — was traveling south on Edgewood Avenue S at an estimated 50 mph, also in a posted 35 mph zone. The officer behind the wheel told investigators he was responding to assist another officer on a traffic stop with his emergency lights and sirens activated. He slowed to clear the intersection before continuing through, though he was uncertain whether he had a green or red light at the time, according to the report.
The Jetta struck the front passenger corner of the patrol vehicle. The force of the impact sent the SUV across all lanes of Edgewood Avenue S, where it collided with a second JSO patrol vehicle — also a 2021 Ford Explorer. The second officer was traveling northbound on Edgewood Avenue S at a reduced speed, preparing to turn into a nearby parking lot as part of his regular patrol duties, according to the report.
Witness account
A witness traveling southbound on Edgewood Avenue S in the left turn lane onto Dignan Street told investigators the traffic signal displayed a flashing left turn arrow as he made his turn. He heard a loud bang and observed the first patrol vehicle strike the second. The witness believed that southbound and northbound traffic on Edgewood Ave S had green lights from the traffic light at Edgewood Ave S and Dignan St due to his lane having a flashing yellow turn arrow.
The witness also said the first patrol vehicle had its emergency lights activated.
The Jetta driver was taken to the hospital with a possible left ankle injury. His airbag deployed during the crash. The officer driving the first patrol vehicle sustained what the report described as “non-incapacitating” injuries and was not transported. The second officer reported no injuries.
The reporting officer noted that conflicting statements among those involved prevented a full determination of fault at the time the report was filed.