In a somber update from Jacksonville, Florida, a pedestrian accident on Merrill Road resulted in a fatality, raising Duval County’s traffic death toll to 174 this year. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Sunday in the 7000 block of Merrill Road.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the victim, a man in his 70s, was tragically killed while attempting to cross Merrill Road on foot. He reached the outer eastbound lane but was struck by a pickup truck before he could reach the sidewalk. The Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department confirmed the pedestrian’s death at the scene.
Authorities noted that the driver of the pickup truck, who is fully cooperating with the investigation, showed no signs of impairment. The aftermath of the crash led to the closure of eastbound lanes on Merrill Road at Arlex Drive and slowed down westbound traffic.
In light of this incident, JSO Sgt. Robert Hungerford emphasized the importance of pedestrian safety, advising crossing at well-lit locations or at crosswalks with traffic signals, which are significantly safer. Sgt. Hungerford also remarked on the frequency of serious traffic accidents in Duval County, stating that almost every hundred-block area has experienced a major crash or fatality at some point.
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing challenge of traffic safety in Jacksonville and the critical need for vigilance among both drivers and pedestrians.