‘How many people need to die?’: Neighbors call on state to improve SR16 after fatal crash

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Oct. 12 Update: The 16-year-old driver that was taken to the hospital in serious condition following a crash on SR-16 in St. Augustine Friday night, has died, Action News Jax has learned. Read more here.

Original Story:

A 17-year-old is dead and a 16-year-old is in serious condition after a fatal crash on SR-16 in St. Augustine Friday night.

On Saturday, neighbors who witnessed the crash tell Action News Jax more needs to be done to improve the safety on the road.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a sedan collided with a pickup truck at the intersection of Francis Road, killing the sedan’s 17-year-old passenger. The driver of the second vehicle is said to be okay.

This is the fourth fatal crash on SR-16 in 2020. At least four people have died as a result.

Mario Galeano lives across from Francis Road and was one of the first neighbors on the scene. He described the sedan like an accordion.

“I don’t know how many people need to die to call [the city’s] attention,” he told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant.

Galeano said many drivers speed up to 80 miles per hour past the intersection, which has no street lights or warning lights. He said a stoplight needs to go in, or the city should reduce the speed limit.

Cox Media Group