A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday afternoon near the Prime Osborn Center, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injuries to a 13-year-old boy. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the unfortunate incident occurred when a mini bike, ridden by the teenagers, collided with a dump truck on South Myrtle Avenue.
Surveillance video captured the sequence of events, revealing that the dump truck was heading north on Myrtle Avenue just before 12:40. As the truck executed a right turn onto Harper Street, a minibike emerged on the right side, attempting to slow down. Despite the rider’s efforts to decelerate, the bike collided with the truck as it continued on Harper Street.
Eyewitnesses in a white minivan trailing the dump truck recounted seeing the teenagers on the minibike veering off the sidewalk into the road while the dump truck was completing its turn. The impact occurred on the passenger side of the dump truck, leading to both teens being ejected from the bike. The Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department promptly transported them to a local hospital.
Tragically, the 14-year-old passenger succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The 13-year-old driver sustained minor injuries and is reported to be in stable condition.
The dump truck driver remained at the scene and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Initial assessments by the police indicate no signs of impairment on the part of the dump truck driver.
Authorities took the opportunity to emphasize the inherent risks associated with operating minibikes on roadways. Stressing the need for proper licensing and age requirements, the police underscored that drivers should be at least 16 years old to operate such vehicles safely.
Regrettably, this incident marks the 169th traffic fatality in Duval County this year, highlighting the ongoing challenges and risks on local roadways.