Dashcam video show moments leading up to Ace Hardware crash

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — New dashcam video given to Action News Jax shows the moments leading up to a Westside crash Friday, when a semi truck plowed into Bennett’s Ace Hardware on Beaver Street.

The video, taken from inside the semi, shows the truck driving east as it approaches Cahoon Road. You can see the truck, hauling sand, has a green light. A sedan traveling west on Beaver Street tries to take a left onto Cahoon and cuts off the truck.

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The video shows the truck T-bone the sedan and crash into the store just seconds after. The trucking company also tells Action News Jax its driver was going 32 mph in the 35 mph zone.

Action News Jax’s Law and Safety Expert, Dale Carson, said investigators will use this video along with security footage and witness interviews to piece together what happened.

“Until we know those factors, it’s important not to jump to conclusions, because you don’t want to point fingers at the wrong party,” he said.

Neighbors thanked Nicholas Mcdonald for jumping into action. He was just around the block when he heard a loud boom and saw a cloud of smoke.

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Jacksonville Fire and Rescue said five people were hurt, including the truck driver, two children, and two of the store’s owners inside.

The building has since been condemned and will be demolished.

Action News Jax has requested the crash report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, but so far it has not been released.

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