Two people are dead after a serious crash in St. Johns County the night of July 3, according to local sources. Charges are apparently pending as Florida police continue to investigate the car accident that claimed the lives of a couple around 10:00 p.m. It is not clear whether the other driver involved in the accident is currently in custody.
The accident report states that a pickup truck was headed northbound on US Highway 1 when it was rear-ended by a passenger car. The force of the impact forced the truck off the right side of the road and into the ditch. The truck then launched into the air over a fence onto a local airport property. Florida Highway Patrol reports that both the driver and his passenger were ejected from the vehicle.
Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene. It is unclear whether they were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. Apparently the other driver involved was not injured, though the second vehicle also ended up in the ditch. That driver is currently under investigation, and police have said they may be filing charges upon the completion of their investigation.
Should the driver be found to have been negligent, reckless or intoxicated at the time of the car accident, he or she could face criminal charges concurrent to their infractions. In addition, family members of the deceased individuals may also wish to file wrongful death suits against that driver in a civil court. While no criminal conviction is required for those suits to be won, evidence of the driver’s infractions are necessary.
Source: www.actionnewsjax.com, “Two accidents on US 1 in St. Johns County Friday night, one fatal”, July 3, 2015