The Florida Highway Patrol reported that an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding a two-car crash that occurred late this afternoon at about 4:36 p.m. on SR-A1A and left one of the drivers dead after his vehicle flipped near Ocean Gallery.
St Augustine resident, 31-year-old Andrew Jason Bailey was stabilized and transported from the scene to Flagler Hospital by emergency medical personnel. He was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in this crash.
According to the crash report provided to Historic City News, Bailey was the driver of a 2003 gray Nissan Maxima, traveling northbound on SR-A1A, north of Ocean Gallery Drive North.
The second vehicle, a 2013 white BMW, was driven by 27-year-old Nicholas John Jones, who resides on Sixth Street at St Augustine Beach. For reasons still being determined, Jones pulled ahead to pass Bailey, causing Bailey to take evasive action.
The preliminary investigation indicates that Bailey swerved to the left to avoid contact with the white BMW, but that he was unable to do so. The passenger side of Bailey’s vehicle struck the left-rear of Jones’ vehicle, as the automobiles were both continuing north.
After the point of contact between the vehicles, Bailey reportedly lost control of his vehicle; traveling across the southbound lanes of traffic. Bailey came to a final rest after his Nissan Maxima overturned, then collided with the Seagate North subdivision entrance sign.
Estimates on the speed of the vehicles, road conditions, and damage to each vehicle, were not yet available. The report indicated that Jones sustained no injuries and that alcohol did not play a role in his driving. Jones was wearing his seat belt and shoulder harness at the time of the crash, the report said.
Bailey was reportedly not wearing his seat belt and traffic homicide investigators are awaiting results from the medical examiner’s autopsy to determine if alcohol was in his system. The investigation is continuing.
Discover more from HISTORIC CITY NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.