- October 10, 2024
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Last updated: 5:51 p.m. Oct. 31. Original post: 1 p.m. Oct. 31.
A carjacking suspect chased by St. Johns County Sheriff's Office deputies on southbound Interstate 95 crashed into the back of a semi-truck at around 11:44 a.m. on Oct. 31, shutting down I-95's southbound lanes in Palm Coast for over five hours.
The suspect died in the crash, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP Master Sgt. Dylan Bryan said in an interview with the Observer the suspect was driving a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The semi-truck was in the center lane when the Avalon crashed into rear of the semi-truck.
A press release from the FHP said the suspect attempted to drive on the inside shoulder of I-95 but lost control of car, swerved and hit the rear of the semi-truck.
Because of the circumstances of the crash and the nature of the suspect's injuries, investigators felt the need to close down that section of I-95 while the scene is processed, Bryan said, instead of reverting to one lane of traffic.
Southbound I-95 closed south of State Road 100 in Palm Coast, and all drivers were detoured. The roadway was closed around noon but reopened around 5:40 p.m., according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
The southbound on-ramps from S.R. 100 and Palm Coast Parkway were closed, and southbound traffic on Interstate 95 was diverted onto Palm Coast Parkway. The FCSO asked drivers to use alternative routes such as U.S. 1 or State Road A1A.
The alleged carjacking occurred in Duval County, and the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office requested the FHP's assistance at about 11:20 a.m. Bryan said the crash occurred around 20 minutes later.
The crash happened "due to the [suspect's] erratic driving behavior" as FHP troopers were responding to assist, according to the news release.
The Florida Highway Patrol's Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the crash, according to the news release. Bryan said the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office will be handling its own standard internal investigation of the chase. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is handling the carjacking investigation, according to an email from a St. Johns County Sheriff's Office public information officer.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
