News Summary
Jacksonville faced a heartbreaking weekend as two tragic traffic incidents claimed lives and left the community in mourning. On Saturday, a pedestrian was fatally struck while crossing I-95, and an early Sunday morning wrong-way crash resulted in the deaths of a young mother and child. The incidents have raised urgent concerns about road safety, underscoring the need for vigilance while traveling in the area.
Tragic Weekend on Jacksonville’s Roads
This past weekend proved to be a heartbreaking time for Jacksonville, as two separate traffic incidents brought tragedy to our community. On Saturday night, an illegal pedestrian crossing turned fatal, and early Sunday morning, a horrifying wrong-way crash occurred on I-95.
Fatal Pedestrian Accident on I-95 North
It all kicked off on Saturday night on I-95 North at County Road 210 in St. Johns County. The unfortunate incident involved a 63-year-old man from Jacksonville, who attempted to cross I-95 in a dangerous manner. Identified as Nedeljko Muždeka, he was on the right shoulder before making a risky decision to cross the busy highway.
Sadly, he didn’t make it. As he stepped into the lanes of traffic, he was struck by two vehicles—first by a sedan, and then by an SUV that ultimately came to a halt on the inside shoulder. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 7:04 p.m., but tragically, Muždeka was pronounced dead right there on the scene. Fortunately, no other individuals were reported injured. However, the impact of this incident rippled through the community, reminding us all of the importance of road safety.
As investigators worked diligently to assess the scene, officials closed down all lanes of I-95 North for several hours. St. Johns County Fire Rescue reached out to drivers, advising them to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. It’s never easy to grapple with such a tragic event, especially when it involves a life lost under perilous circumstances.
Wrong-Way Crash on I-95
The southbound SUV was carrying five occupants. The outcome was devastating, with a 25-year-old woman losing her life and a 3-year-old girl also being tragically killed in the accident. Meanwhile, two other young girls aged 2 and 5 suffered critical and serious injuries, respectively, along with a 1-year-old boy who also faced serious injuries. Reports indicated that none of those in the southbound SUV were wearing seatbelts—an alarming detail that raises questions about safety practices.
On the flip side, the driver of the northbound SUV, a 42-year-old man, was thankfully wearing a seatbelt and sustained serious injuries. The crash resulted in the closure of the northbound lanes for several hours as authorities worked to clear the wreckage and investigate what went wrong. Traffic was diverted onto Pecan Park Road, with the on-ramp from Pecan Park Road to I-95 North also seeing temporary closures.
As more details emerge, the Florida Highway Patrol has not yet released the names of those involved in the wrong-way crash, but the profound impact of the accidents has left many in the Jacksonville community feeling somber.
Final Thoughts
It’s moments like these that remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety. Whether you’re crossing a street or driving on a busy highway, taking precautions can make all the difference. Jacksonville is coming together in the wake of these tragedies, mourning lost lives while hopeful that such heartbreaking incidents can become a thing of the past.
The weekend’s events serve as a wake-up call for the community. Stay safe out there and always remember: safety first!
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Additional Resources
- News4Jax: Fatal Crash on I-95 North
- First Coast News: Deadly Crash on I-95 Northbound
- Action News Jax: Car Hits Pedestrian on I-95
- Wikipedia: Traffic Collisions
- Google Search: Jacksonville Traffic Accidents
