Church family remembers wrong-way crash victim & dad of 3 as gentle giant

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Three Jacksonville children are without their father.

Family of Zarell Crittenden said the 27-year-old was hit by driver going the wrong direction on the Arlington Expressway. He was heading home from bible study.

Action News Jax was on the scene moments after the crash happened around 10 Wednesday night.

Both cars were totaled.

According to troopers, the wrong way driver is critically hurt.

Crittenden is remembered by church members as a gentle giant.

He was supposed to celebrate his 28th birthday next week.

“He probably hugged right before bible study, said his greetings before he left. You just don’t think something like that’s going to happen,” said Christian United Church Pastor Eric Gibbs.

Gibbs said Crittenden controlled the music and sound during church services.

“Zarrell was just a phenomenal 27-year-old man that loved the Lord, loved his family, loved his boys, loved the church,” said Gibbs.

Troopers say Crittenden was driving eastbound along the Arlington Expressway Wednesday night when the driver of a 2012 Volkswagen Passat, who was going westbound, hit his car head-on.

They said it caused Crittenden to crash into another car.

Gibbs said members here will remember him most by his kind spirit and love for children.

Little Lenard said he will miss getting hugs from him the most.

“When I walked into the church mad, he told me to come here in the booth and said, ‘What you mad for?’ He gave me a hug and that really impacted me,” said Lenard.

Pastor Gibbs says that trait shined the brightest in his final moments.

“His smile, big eyes, he just had this glow on him and his love. I’m a pastor, but he brought another element when it came to loving on people. I learned some things from that,” Gibbs added.

Crittenden’s wife was too emotional to speak on camera, but sent Action News Jax this text message:

“Zarrell was passionate and courageous. He loved the Lord above all things and was extremely devoted to me and our 3 boys. He loved to coach at Terry Parker high School and was adamant about his family. He was an all-around awesome man, great husband and wonderful father who will be severely missed”

The driver of the car that hit Crittenden was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

We have reached out to FHP to learn if that driver will face any charges and are waiting to hear back.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

© 2020 Cox Media Group