Head-on crash snarls US 17 on Tuesday morning
Two drivers were injured -- one serionsly -- in this crash on U.S. 17. YULEE, Fla. โ The drivers of a pickup truck and a car injured in a head-on crash on U.S. 17 just north of Duval-Nassau county about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. According to the Nassau County Sheriffโs Office, the driver of the pickup truck lost control and struck a car coming the other direction. The elderly driver of the pickup had only minor injuries. Northbound traffic on U.S. 17 was backed up to Pecan Park Road in Duval County.
Orange Parkโs two main corridors could get a major overhaul
ORANGE PARK, Fla. โ There is a major push underway in Orange Park to rehab and improve two major roadways: U.S. 17 and Kingsley Avenue. Town leaders are considering trying to get the town whatโs called a Main Street USA designation, which would provide funding to completely overhaul the townโs two main corridors. Last week, the Orange Park Town Council heard a proposal about applying to get the town Main Street USA status, which can get them a lot of grant money to complete the project. โWe need to do more things like that.โโItโs a little much for Orange Park," Clay County resident Michelle Guyot said. The next step for this is applying for the Main Street USA designation, which would likely happen next spring.
Police: 2 men killed, Palatka officer hospitalized in crash
PALATKA, Fla. โ Two men died late Friday night when their pickup truck crossed in front of a Palatka Police cruiser on U.S. 17 in Putnam County and was struck, police said. The front of the patrol car slammed into the driverโs side of the truck, and the impact flipped the truck. The patrol car kept rolling after the crash, jumped a curb and ended up hitting a mattress store building nearby, troopers said. The crash happened only blocks from the Palatka Police headquarters on Reid Street. A Palatka Police Department spokesperson said the officer has been on the force just under a year.
FHP: 1 dead in San Mateo crash involving semi
SAN MATEO, Fla. One person died in a crash Monday involving a semi and a vehicle in San Mateo, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash was reported about 10:30 a.m. on southbound U.S. 17 at State Road 100. At last check, the right lane of southbound U.S. 17 was blocked. Troopers asked drives to avoid the area if possible.
Overnight detours planned for Airport Road & Airport Center Drive
As part of the Florida Department of Transportationโs Airport Road and Interstate 95 interchange improvements project, a detours of eastbound and westbound Airport Road and Airport Center Drive is scheduled from 10 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Drivers traveling west on Airport Center Drive who wish to continue to Airport Road will be detoured south on U.S. 17 (Main Street), where they will take a right onto Cole Road West, a right on Cole Road and another right onto Duval Road to continue to Airport Road. Drivers traveling north on I-95 who wish to take the Airport Road west exit will continue on I-95 north to the Pecan Park Road exit, turn left on Pecan Park Road and make another left on the I-95 south ramp to continue to the Airport Road exit. Drivers traveling east on Airport Road will take the I-95 south ramp to join motorists already on I-95 south. If you have an early morning flight on Monday, January 27, please be aware of Airport Road detours.
Georgia man killed when 2 pickups crash on US 17
YULEE, Fla. โ A 60-year-old man died Wednesday morning when his Ford F-150 pickup truck southbound on U.S. 17 veered into the northbound lanes and struck another F-150, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The collision happened at 6:30 a.m. near the intersection with Hamilton Street, north of state Road 200. According to the accident report, Fred Westerfeld III, of St. Marys, Georgia, died at the scene. The driver of the second pickup truck, Barry Gluntz, 54, from Ohio, was taken to UF Health Jacksonville with critical injuries. U.S. 17 remained was closed in both directions for hours while the accident was investigated and cleared.
16-year-old bicyclist hit, killed by car in Putnam County
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. - A 16-year-old bicyclist was exiting a driveway when he was hit and killed by a car, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said Paul Shamblin, of Pomona Park, was attempting to cross U.S. 17 just north of East Main Street when he was hit by a car. According to the Sheriff's Office, the driver of the car stayed at the scene and Shamblin was transported to the hospital where he later died. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
Boil water notice canceled in Green Cove Springs
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. โ A precautionary boil water notice issued for parts of Green Cove Springs after a contractor damaged a city water main has been canceled. The water main was at the intersection of U.S. 17 and State Road 16, city officials said. The notice applied to water customers at:Speedway and Cove Plaza at the corner of U.S. 17 and SR 16Elks Lodge, Hickory Grove Baptist Church and Day Care4630 County Road 209 South Rolling DieThe water had to be shut off while repairs were made to the water main, and after water flow was restored, samples had to come back clear of bacteria before officials could lift the boil water notice. The notice went into effect at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and was lifted Friday. City water is safe to drink, officials said.