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Man dies in 3-car crash on Blanding Boulevard in Clay County

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two women have serious injuries and a man has died after a three-car crash in Clay County Wednesday night. The crash happened at the intersection of Blanding Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue. A car carrying a 73-year-old woman and 86-year-old man turned into the path of an oncoming SUV traveling north on Blanding Boulevard, according to Florida Highway Patrol’s crash report. The oncoming SUV hit the car and as a result of the impact traveled into the southbound lanes and hit another vehicle head-on. The crash happened at 9:50 Wednesday night.

2 injured in 3-vehicle crash involving Jacksonville police officer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two people were taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening after a crash involving a Jacksonville police officer Thursday morning. The preliminary crash investigation shows an approaching car rear-ended the officer’s patrol car as they were traveling south on Blanding Boulevard near Lake Gray Boulevard. The impact caused the approaching vehicle to bounce off of the patrol car and into a third car. A witness is helping the investigation. The crash was cleared in about an hour.

Motorcyclist critically injured after rear ending pick-up truck pulling trailer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 39-year-old man is fighting for his life after a crash on I-295 near Blanding Boulevard Sunday evening. The man was driving a motorcycle on the northbound side of I-295 when the bike collided with a trailer that was being pulled by a pick-up truck. The Florida Highway Patrol crash report shows he was wearing a helmet and was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Two 24-year-old men in the pick-up truck were not injured. The initial FHP report did not say if the trailer had reflector lights.

Lakeshore mural gets new life after vandalism

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Local artists have raised funds to fix a mural on Blanding Boulevard and Palmer Avenue in Jacksonville’s Lakeshore neighborhood that was vandalized in December. The mural was created around the time of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country. “We exceeded the goal, and with those funds, we were able to fund the other side of the building to get more artists to do murals,” Clark said. Black Mural Map says they hope to finish redoing the last part of the mural that was vandalized this weekend. They say they will begin painting new murals near the existing paintings in the near future.

79-year-old driver dies in Orange Park Crash

A man from Massachusetts died Thursday morning after his van pulled out onto Blanding Boulevard in front of an oncoming car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the 79-year-old was driving west on Kingfisher Boulevard about 9:30 a.m. when he pulled into traffic. The driver was taken to Orange Park Medical Center, where he died. The driver and an 11-year-old passenger in the SUV that struck the van, both from Jacksonville, were taken to Ascension St. Vincent’s with minor injuries. One northbound lane of Blanding was closed for part of the morning while the accident was investigated and cleared.

Troopers chase SUV across Buckman Bridge at 100 mph, force crash

The Florida Highway Patrol said the chase began at 7:18 a.m. at Old St. Augustine and I-295 when a trooper spotted a reckless driver going north at 100 mph. That trooper tried to get the driver to pull over, but a chase ensued. A second trooper joined the pursuit as they crossed Buckman Bridge heading toward Orange Park. It was just the flipped car with any damage.”Michael Bennett was also driving across the bridge and saw the whole thing happen. News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson, who is a former Jacksonville police officer, said he questions the use of the PIT maneuver.

Jacksonville family to host free 2-day haunted house in October

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Daniel’s Dungeon of Haunted Horrors is back! One Jacksonville home has built an entire haunted house for those brave enough to enter. Daniel's Dungeon of Haunted Horrors is located off of Blanding Boulevard and is said to be one of the best local scares in our area! The free haunted house will be open on Friday, October 30 from 7-11 p.m. and October 31 (Halloween) from 7 p.m. - midnight)LOCATION: 2189 George Wyth Rd OpClick here for more information. Daniels dungeon of haunted horrors

Crews search water for body on Jacksonville’s Westside

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Crews with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department on Friday were searching for a body in a waterway near Blanding Boulevard and Youngerman Circle. Several units were called to assist. A JFRD spokesperson didn’t specify the exact body of water, however, the nearest inlet appears to be connected to the Ortega River. It wasn’t clear how long units would be searching, and the spokesperson couldn’t give specifics about who they were searching for. There was no danger to the public.

Man freed after crane working on Clay County bridge project falls

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. A worker was hospitalized Tuesday after a crane working on a bridge project on County Road 218 fell on him. A Clay County Fire Rescue spokesman said the mans leg got trapped under the crane. The victim was a subcontractor of Sacyr Construction, which is working on the bridge over the South Fork of Black Creek. The crane was removed from the road and traffic on CR-218 is flowing again. Work on the bridge project has stopped and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration is investigating the accident.

Clay County body shop, military supply store vandalized

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. Police in Clay County are investigating after two businesses were covered with spray painted symbols. Robin Sirois owns the property off Blanding Boulevard where Clay Collision, a body shop, and The Supply Bunker, a military supply store, both sit. They spray painted this side with BLM and you can see the words and we can go to war on this side, she said. Honestly, I do not think that Black Lives Matter had anything to do with this. I think that theyre giving Black Lives Matter a bad name.Sirois does not believe the businesses were targeted.

Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter supporters gather in Middleburg

Across the street, Blue Lives Matter supporters gathered. “When we say Black Lives Matter, that it solely means Black lives are better,” said Kevin Connor with Black Lives Matter Clay County. Standing on the same side of the road of the Black Lives Matter supporters was Norm Brewer, a Blue Lives Matter supporter. I mean, it’s just that simple.”Brewer explained further why he stood with the Black Lives Matter supporters even though he supports the Blue Lives Matter movement. At last weekend’s rally, a group of Blue Lives Matter supporters counter-demonstrated across the street from the Black Lives Matter rally near the corner of Blanding Boulevard and Kingsley Avenue.

FHP: 3-year-old boy walking alone hit by SUV, seriously injured

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. A 3-year-old Orange Park boy was struck by a sport utility vehicle and seriously injured Thursday evening in Clay County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. According to the Highway Patrol, the boy was walking alone when he tried to cross Blanding Boulevard and was struck by the SUV. Troopers said the SUV immediately stopped, and the occupants rendered aid to the child and called authorities. The Clay County Sheriffs Office is investigating why the child was alone. Troopers said the driver of the SUV, a 23-year-old Middleburg woman, and the passenger in the SUV, a 22-year-old Orange Park man, were not injured.

Storm damage leaves Clay County family’s home unlivable

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Two large trees fell on top of the roof of a Clay County family’s home during a storm Tuesday afternoon. When News4Jax arrived at the home, the family said two trees had fallen on top of the roof, causing significant damage. All three people inside the home were OK, and the family’s four Chihuahuas and two leopard geckos were also safe. Once the storm passed, Cline said, the home was pitch black with significant damage on the inside and large uprooted trees in the backyard. His mom passed away living in this house,” Cline said.

3 hospitalized after lightning strike in Clay County

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. Clay County Fire Rescue said three people were hospitalized Thursday afternoon after a lightning strike at a Middleburg apartment complex. The complex is on Iris Street off County Road 218, west of Blanding Boulevard. Firefighters said two of the people who were injured by the lightning just before 3 p.m. went into cardiac arrest. All three were being rushed to the hospital. News4Jax has a crew headed to the area and will update when more information becomes available.

Questions linger after bicyclist killed on Blanding Boulevard

ORANGE PARK, Fla. Family members of a bicyclist killed on Blanding Boulevard said they still have questions about the crash. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 28-year-old man died after he collided with a pickup truck on Blanding Boulevard while riding a bicycle about 8:30 a.m. May 9. He treated everybody nicely," said Katalina Burns, Tony Burns sister. According to troopers, the bicyclist was riding south on the northbound sidewalk along Blanding Boulevard and the truck was heading north in the outside travel lane. Troopers said the bicyclist entered the outside travel lane of Blanding Boulevard, colliding with the right side of the truck.

Residents evacuated as Clay County firefighters battle blaze at Well Road apartment complex

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Clay County Fire Rescue battled a structure fire Friday night at the Bluff House Apartment Homes on Wells Road, off Blanding Boulevard. Officials said eight to 10 residents were evacuated after the fire broke out about 8:20 p.m. The Sheriff’s Office blocked traffic to the area. The fire was out in about 30 minutes and mostly contained to a second-floor apartment, although three other units suffered smoke and waterNo one was injured. The fire marshal was investigating the cause.

Sheriff's Office: Driver nearly runs over deputy, sparks pursuit

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. - A 20-year-old driver led a deputy on a high-speed chase, tried to ram his cruiser and hit another car before running from his vehicle and being caught and arrested Monday, according to a Clay County Sheriff's Office arrest report. Ayrmon Gerimiah Wilson, 20, failed to stop on Blanding Boulevard on Monday afternoon during the peak of rush hour and instead tried to run over a deputy before speeding away, the Sheriff's Office said. Wilson's arrest report said at one point during the ensuing chase, Wilson hit 100 mph in a 45 mph zone and tried to hit the deputy's cruiser. He hit another car at the intersection of U.S. 17 and Kingsley Avenue, near Doctors Inlet, in Orange Park and then took off running through the Orange Park Town Hall and police buildings, deputies said. Wilson was arrested on Kingsley Avenue.

Fiery Green Cove Springs crash kills two

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. - Florida Highway Patrol responded to a crash in Clay County on State Road 16 at Blanding Boulevard just after 5 a.m. Saturday. According to FHP, the driver of a Dodge Stratus attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Blanding Boulevard when a pickup truck slammed into it. The driver and passenger in the Dodge were both killed in the crash. The driver of the pickup truck suffered minor injuries. All lanes of State Road 16 are still blocked off in the area as FHP investigates.

Man found dead at Clay County apartment complex

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. - A man, believed to be in his 30s, was found dead Wednesday morning at an apartment complex, the Clay County Sheriff's Office said. Neighbors found the man's body Wednesday morning in a grassy area between two buildings at the Bluff House apartment complex on Wells Road, west of Blanding Boulevard and the Orange Park Mall. Detectives were on scene at the apartment complex for several hours, speaking with neighbors and walking around the property in hopes of learning what exactly led to the man's death. The Sheriff's Office was still working to notify the man's family and pinpoint how he died. With few answers at this point, Gano questions whether she even wants to continue to living in the complex.

Deputies: Robber holds up Wells Fargo, nearby Home Depot store

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Deputies said a man with a limp held up a Wells Fargo bank on Blanding Boulevard and then robbed a nearby Home Depot store on Wells Road in Orange Park. No injuries were reported and it's unclear if the robber is armed, although he did indicate he had a firearm. The robberies were reported Friday afternoon, just hours after a San Marco area Wells Fargo was held up in Jacksonville. But authorities said the Orange Park robber, an older man who walked with a limp, is not the same man from the San Marco robbery. Deputies and detectives are investigating the Orange Park incidents asked for patience from residents.

Motorcycle accident leaves man dead off Blanding Boulevard

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has identified a man killed in a single motorcycle crash that happened at 1:10 a.m. Sunday on the off-ramp from Roosevelt Boulevard onto Blanding Boulevard. Officers said they found Kevin L. Knight, 41, dead on the scene of the crash. Traffic homicide detectives responded to conduct an investigation. The ramp from Roosevelt onto Blanding Boulevard was closed while the investigation was conducted. Later, Sunday morning, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office put out the following tweet.