19-year-old walks into traffic struck twice

Historic City News was notified that at about 9:40 p.m. last night, Trooper Dennis Shorter responded to the scene of a vehicle-vs-pedestrian crash on US-1 South near Shores Boulevard; resulting in the 19-year-old pedestrian being flown to UF Health Trauma Center in Jacksonville with life-threatening injuries.

A 2015 Jeep driven by 24-year-old Holly Nicole Vogel of St Augustine, was traveling northbound in the inside lane on US-1 approaching Shores Boulevard.

The Jeep entered the intersection on a green traffic signal at the same time as 19-year-old Matthew Fisher Chrest walked onto the highway. Chrest did not use the cross-walk.

The right front of the Jeep struck Chrest, knocking him to the ground.

Following directly behind Vogel’s vehicle, also in the inside lane, was a 2005 Toyota pickup truck driven by 22-year-old Krymsen Ivy Gaynor.

The pickup ran over Chrest as he laid in the roadway.

St Johns County emergency medical personnel stabilized the patient for transportation to the Trauma Center by air ambulance in critical condition.

Neither driver reported injuries, although the Jeep sustained an estimated $4,000 in damages and the Toyota sustained an estimated $7,000 in damages.

According to Trooper Shorter’s report, the investigation is continuing; however, the initial findings are that neither driver was under the influence of alcohol and both were wearing their seatbelts. Charges are pending the conclusion of the investigation.