Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
A fatal multi-vehicle crash occurred in Hamiton County on US Highway 41 near the intersection of NW 96th Place on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at approximately 1:18 p.m., resulting in the death of one driver and critical injuries to another occupant.
According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the incident began when a Honda HRV, driven by a 59-year-old woman from Jasper, was stopped southbound on US Highway 41, waiting for a northbound Freightliner bucket truck driven by a 28-year-old man from Julian, N.C., to pass. At that time, a Ford Ranger, driven by Trey Williams, a 27-year-old from Jasper, approached the Honda from the southbound lane and collided with its rear left side. The impact caused Williams's vehicle to rotate clockwise, crossing the centerline into the path of the bucket truck. The Freightliner then struck the left side of Williams's vehicle.
A Hyundai Sonata, driven by a 34-year-old woman from Jasper, was traveling behind Williams when the collision occurred. To avoid the crash, the Hyundai moved onto the west shoulder of US Highway 41. However, the Honda HRV, redirected by the earlier collision, was pushed into the same shoulder, resulting in the Hyundai striking the Honda.
Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 21-year-old Jasper resident JonDarious McCloud, suffered critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
The driver of the Honda HRV and the driver of the Freightliner bucket truck were reported to have sustained minor injuries and were also transported to a local hospital. Two passengers in the Freightliner, a 22-year-old man from Albemarle, N.C., and a 27-year-old man from Pilot, N.C., also suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.
Three passengers in the Hyundai, an 80-year-old woman, an 8-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, all from Jasper, were not injured in the crash.