Hit-and-Run Driver Killed Woman in Tragic Crash on International Golf Parkway in St. Johns County, Florida (FL)

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL- Jacksonville.com writes that a woman died in a tragic hit-and-run crash this week in the early morning on International Golf Parkway. The victim, identified as a 71-year-old woman who lived close to the site of the crash, was reportedly walking near or on the roadway at the time of the collision.*

Police are working to identify the involved vehicle and driver through forensic evidence left at the crash scene and with footage from the area at the time of the accident. The vehicle is reportedly missing parts of its headlights and suffered damage to its front end.

Police are asking that anyone with information regarding the collision reach out to the Sheriff’s Officer. 

Florida ranks among the worst states in the nation when it comes to fatal hit-and-run crashes. According to a study conducted by the AAA, the Sunshine State had more fatal hit-and-run deaths than all but two other states; New Mexico and Louisiana.

During the time frame examined by the AAA, the rate of hit-and-runs increased dramatically. In fact, between 2009 and 2016, the number of deadly collisions in which a driver fled the scene rose by about 60 percent. The annual rise in fatal hit-and-runs was more than seven percent on average, indicating a troubling upward trend. In Florida specifically, the report stated that 206 hit-and-run crashes that killed at least one person occurred in 2016. 

A spokesperson from the AAA reminded motorists of their responsibility to avoid striking pedestrians and other vulnerable road users and that fleeing a crash scene is a criminal act. Leaving after a traffic accident is illegal even if the fleeing motorist did not cause the crash. 

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:

https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20200320/woman-71-killed-in-st-johns-county-hit-and-run

https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/Florida-has-one-of-the-highest-rates-of-fatal-hit-and-run-crashes-study-finds_167694238/