A chaotic St. Johns County intersection that has seen fatalities and frequent wrecks in recent years claimed another life this week.
A 63-year-old Ponte Vedra woman was killed in a violent collision at the intersection at U.S. 1 at Pine Island Road in St. Augustine Wednesday morning, officials said.
The victim was attempting to make a left-hand turn from Pine Island Road onto the main highway — a notoriously challenging task during heavy traffic that requires crossing several lanes.
An SUV driven by a 19-year-old from St. Augustine struck the woman’s driver’s side, propelling her into a 35-year-old Jacksonville man’s trailer attached to his truck.
He had been waiting in a median to turn onto U.S. 1 North.
In a Facebook post, St. Johns County Fire Rescue said one of the drivers involved in the accident had to be extricated from their vehicle.
The 63-year-old was pronounced dead, while the teen did not suffer any injuries.
“We’ve responded to a lot of accidents at that intersection,” St. Johns County Fire Rescue spokesperson Chris Naff told The Citizen, confirming at least one prior fatality prior to this week’s accident.
In February of 2023, an 84-year-old man died after his sedan collided with the side of a semi-truck attempting to turn left onto northbound U.S. 1 from the center median at Pine Island Road.
Amid growing public concern, the county moved to install a traffic light at the intersection, which often backs up onto Pine Island Road as skittish drivers attempt to negotiate the vehicular gauntlet.
The signal installation is ongoing.
SJCFR said FHP and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the circumstances of Wednesday’s crash.
5 Responses
Why has it taken it so long to install a light at this intersection? It should have been installed as soon as the school opens three years ago. The family of the lady who died has every legal right to Sue the state and county.
Can you please show me on the map where that is? I live in St Johns County but I’m kind of new here
After approval it takes 1-3 months normally it will take a municipality a year to get everything approved. This has been ongoing for over 2 years. It takes the national builders less than 1/2 of that to get a massive development Approved. I have 2 options to go north. US 1 or 95. Both are dangerous easier and safer to move
This project has been moving at a snails pace. How many more lives will it take to get the county to move?
The residents of this area have been BEGGING for a light at this intersection for years. It makes ZERO sense that this has taken so long. The red tape has cost LIVES.