Fatal morning crash on I-95 spawns crash involving five other vehicles

A multi-vehicle crash reported to Historic City News by Commander Charles E. Mulligan this morning about 8:00 a.m. had northbound traffic on Interstate 95 tied up for hours as the Florida Highway Patrol and traffic homicide investigators tried to reconstruct the events that resulted in one fatality and other injuries.

There was construction debris (nails, screws, etc.) across all northbound lanes, but deputies attempted to clear the roadway as soon as possible so that the Interstate would be passable.

“Due to an overturned vehicle in the northbound lanes of I-95 motorists should expect delays during their northerly commute,” Mulligan told local reporters. “Traffic is not mandatorily being redirected at this time, however, motorists should seek alternative routes if they can.”

According to the crash report filed with Historic City News this evening, a Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by 54-year-old Randolph G. Jones of Eastman Georgia, was traveling northbound in the center lane of Interstate 95 in the area of International Golf Parkway behind a Honda CRV driven by 67-year-old William Leroy Grant Jr of St Augustine.

When traffic began to slow and eventually stop due to heavy traffic, the tractor-trailer struck the rear of the Honda; causing both vehicles to leave the roadway, to the right, and cross over the northbound ramp to International Golf Parkway.

Jones’ tractor-trailer struck a large tree and came to final rest still facing northbound along the east side of the ramp. The driver sustained no injuries.

Grant’s Honda came to final rest also facing mostly northbound and to the right of the tractor-trailer. Grant was killed in the crash, his passenger, 61-year-old Frances Darlene Grant was transported to UF Shands Jacksonville with serious injuries.

The drivers of five additional vehicles, all traveling northbound on Interstate 95, became involved in a secondary crash.

Four of the vehicles were stopped because of the previous crash, when the fifth vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet driven by 23-year-old Albert Campbell IV of Holly Hill, failed to slow in time. Campbell collided with the rear of 2015 Nissan Altima driven by Mary Macbain of Charleston, resulting in injuries to both parties.

Campbell was transported to Baptist South with minor injuries and Macbain was transported to UF Health Jacksonville in serious condition.

The impact forced Macbain’s vehicle to push forward into the other vehicles; a 2008 Kia Optima driven by 59-year-old Carol Barrett of Orlando, and her passenger, Rodney Johnson also of Orlando; a 2012 Nissan Sentra driven by 39-year-old Telena Jones of Orlando; and a 2015 Kenworth T680 driven by 25-year-old Tremayne Keith of Newnan, Georgia. All received minor injuries and all patients were transported to Baptist South Medical Center.