Tragedy struck in Jacksonville’s Fairways Forest neighborhood on Sunday night as a man lost his life after being struck by a pickup truck on Merrill Road near Arlex Drive. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the fatal crash occurred at 6:00 pm in the 7000 block of Merrill Road.
The victim, a man in his 70s, was initially on the north side of Merrill Road. Subsequently, he ran across all lanes, heading south, and was unfortunately hit by a pickup truck traveling eastbound. Despite the efforts of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, who responded to the scene, the man was pronounced dead on site.
The incident marks the 174th traffic fatality in Duval County this year, underlining the ongoing concerns related to road safety in the area. In response to the crash, the eastbound lanes of Merrill Road at Arlex Drive are presently closed. Additionally, the 7000 block of Merrill Road is expected to remain closed for approximately another hour as detectives conduct their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the traffic crash.
This unfortunate incident serves as a poignant reminder of the need for continued vigilance and adherence to safety measures on roadways to prevent such tragic accidents.