Jacksonville police continue to investigate sand truck crash into Bennett’s Ace Hardware store

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Investigators are still working to learn what caused a sand truck to crash into a local hardware store Friday evening.

Action News Jax first told you when the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded to the crash at Bennett’s Ace Hardware on West Beaver Street at Cahoon Road.

Five people were taken to the hospital.

Police are looking to neighboring businesses to piece the story together.

Two victims were inside the hardware store at the time. Surrounding employees said they were owners Dennis and Keith Bennett.

As to why and how the truck ended up inside is still unknown.

Employees at the Speedway Food Store said they gave their security camera video to police.

PHOTOS: 5 injured after sand truck crashes into building on Jacksonville’s Westside

JFRD responding to sand truck crashed into building The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded early evening Friday, Jan. 14 to sand truck that crashed into an Ace Hardware store at Cahoon Road and Beaver Street. JFRD initially said the truck involved in the crash was a semi-truck.

JFRD responding to sand truck crashed into building According to JFRD, the crash caused a fuel leak. The hazmat team and the special operations team are responding.

JFRD responding to sand truck crashed into building Five people total have been transported to the hospital from this crash.

Truck crashes into building on Jacksonville's Westside Fifty-two gallons of fuel were drained from the truck and secured.

Truck crashes into building on Jacksonville's Westside It is not yet known what caused the crash, JFRD said.

Truck crashes into building on Jacksonville's Westside Four people, plus the truck driver, were rescued.

Truck crashes into building on Jacksonville's Westside The building is a total loss, JFRD said.

Truck crashes into building on Jacksonville's Westside No firefighters were hurt during the rescue efforts.

Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson, who has years of experience in law enforcement, said today’s technology plays a big role in piecing together timelines.

“Everyone seems to have these cameras to the extent that the angle is right and can show certain things, it becomes a significant part of the investigation of the traffic accident,” Carson said.

Carson said charges are possible in a case like this.

“An accident with serious bodily injury can be any number of things. If the person dies, it can be manslaughter,” Carson said.

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He said a full investigation needs to be completed before doing so. That’ll determine other potential contributing factors such as intoxication or negligence, all of which can play a factor in the courtroom.

However, no such determinations have been made in this crash so far.

Carson said the investigation begins with looking at the final resting positions of the vehicles involved.

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“Then to move back from those positions in the roadway and see where they came from. Are there skid marks? Are there brake marks? Are there strike marks?” Carson said.

Carson said there are many questions to ask in a complicated crash like this one.

“Did someone run into this truck? Did this truck move to avoid striking a pedestrian? All those kinds of things are at play here,” Carson said.

For now, the truck sits in the empty store and community members continue to pray.

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