St. Johns County, Fl. — A rollover crash happening Monday morning near a sidewalk kids take to school is causing major concerns for parents.
The rolled-over truck was at the intersection of St. Johns Pkwy N and 9B Monday morning.
Parents say they’re terrified a crash like this will happen on the sidewalk their kids take to get school.
Clara Edwards says she saw the crash on Monday morning as she drove by.
“I was shaken and pray (sic) thank goodness, that one of those trucks didn’t hit one of the kids,” Edwards said.
Her nine-year-old daughter Bella is a third grade student at Liberty Pines Academy.
She bikes on this sidewalk once a week to get to school from her home in St. Johns Forest.
Edwards shared a picture of Bella near another car crash on the interchange of 9B from October of last year.
“It was heartbreaking,” Edwards said. “Very nervous for our kids that cars and trucks continue to flip on these sidewalks.”
Since the new year, Action News Jax found there have been 666 traffic crashes in St. Johns County, one pedestrian death, and no bicycle-related deaths.
Rachel Madden has twins in first grade who bike here, and she’s worried it’s only a matter of time before this changes.
“We need to change now before tragedy happens because that’s what’s gonna happen,” Madden said. “It’s gonna take a tragedy unless people listen now.”
Both Edwards and Madden are demanding a bus route to include their kids, but the St. Johns School District says kids living with two miles of their school aren’t eligible for bus transportation.
However, in a letter, Superintendent of St. Johns County Schools Tim Forson is asking FDOT, St. Johns County Commissioners, St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, and the St. John County School Board to review the walkway for hazards.
You can read the full letter here:
Rollover crash adds to parents' concerns over sidewalk safety, school district speaks out by Katie on Scribd
The St. Johns County Superintendent’s office tells Action News Jax they have not received a response to that letter yet.
Action News Jax also asked whether the superintendent would consider adding a bus route for kids living in St. Johns Forest. We are waiting to hear back.
We are also waiting to hear back from the Board of St. Johns County Commissioners on their response to these safety concerns.