1-year-old killed, driver critically injured in Northside crash

FHP: 3 children suffer minor injuries when car turned left in front of SUV

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 1-year-old boy was killed, his 30-year-old mother was critically injured and three other children and a second driver suffered minor injuries Thursday morning in a crash on Jacksonville's Northside, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Highway Patrol identified the child who died as Dean Wyers, of Jacksonville.

Troopers said a PT Cruiser driven by Kristi Tucker turned left off Clark Road onto North Main Street in front of oncoming traffic about 8:30 a.m. and was hit by a southbound Ford Explorer.

A 4-year-old girl who was also in Tucker's car and the driver of the SUV, along with that woman's 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, were all transported to UF Health Jacksonville with minor injuries.

The family has since left a memorial at the site of the crash. Loved ones said the boy's life was taken too soon.

Michael Sherman, Dean's uncle, told News4Jax that he never thought he'd be planning a funeral for his nephew. 

"It's devastating," Sherman said. "It's not's supposed to happen. We're not supposed to bury our children. It's not supposed to be this way."

The uncle said all he has left now are the memories he had with his "little man."

"He was full of life, great little kid, awesome," Sherman said. "Never a dull moment with him. Full of love. Loved to get dirty. Loved to play with trucks. Loved to get down and help you work on the trucks."

A GoFundMe account has been started to help Dean's family with funeral expenses.

Investigators are working to determine whether speed, alcohol or anything else factored into the crash.


About the Authors:

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.