Drivers condition serious after dump truck crash

When a dump truck with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 58,000 lbs. slows to make a turn, you want to allow them plenty of following distance — a lesson learned just before 5:00 p.m. yesterday evening when Historic City News was notified of a two-vehicle crash that sent one man to the hospital in a helicopter.

According to the crash report filed by Trooper C. J. Frazier, 42 year-old John J. Begley III, who resides at 258 Shores Boulevard in St Augustine, was following a 2006 Sterling LT-9 dump truck; northbound on US-1 near SR-206, north of DuPont Center.

The dump truck, driven by 33 year-old David Allen Hicks, also of St Augustine, slowed to make a right turn into the driveway of the construction site of St Augustine Youth Services.

Begley was following too closely in his 2008 Nissan Altima; and struck the right rear of the dump truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol investigator, causing about $3000 in damage to the dump truck and about $10,000 in damage to the Nissan.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, and alcohol was not a factor; however, the dump truck driver received minor injuries and Begley suffered serious injuries and was charged with careless driving.

Begley was stabilized at the scene and transported to the trauma center of Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville.