A female driver in Jacksonville trying to pass another vehicle on the right side on Butler Boulevard ended up causing a two-vehicle crash that left one driver dead. The crash happened Friday afternoon, November 11. The first car, a Lexus RX300, was being driven by a 71-year-old from Jacksonville westbound on Butler Boulevard approaching Belfort Road when a Camry, being driven by a 37-year-old Jacksonville woman, turned in front of the Lexus in the left hand lane. The right rear driver’s side of the Camry was hit by the Lexus which caused the Lexus to spin, flip, and hit a concrete barrier. It came to rest in the middle lane, according to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report.
The Florida Times-Union, quoting the FHP, says the Camry also hit the barrier, crossed all three westbound lanes and went off the road, rolling over on its side in a ditch. The Lexus driver was dead at the scene, according to the FHP, while the Camry driver and a male passenger, said to be a small child, had minor injuries and were taken to Shands Jacksonville.
The FHP says everyone involved was wearing a seat belt. Traffic was backed up for hours on the Southside. Our condolences are extended to the friends and family for their loss. This is an unfortunate and possibly preventable loss of a life.
Florida Statute section 316.084 discusses the conditions under which overtaking a vehicle on the right is permitted: 1) when the vehicle on the left is making a left turn 2) when there is unobstructed pavement. Under no conditions may a car pass another by going off the roadway.
Many people writing to the Florida Times-Union say that the Camry driver should be cited, but the newspaper article does not mention whether charges are pending.
Farah & Farah recommend if you encounter a reckless driver on the road or someone who is exceeding the speed limit, get away from them as quickly as you reasonably can so you do not become unintentionally dragged into an accident they might cause. Please call the auto accident attorneys in Jacksonville of Farah & Farah if you are in a car accident that was not your fault so we can advocate for your interests and you can concentrate on healing.
Source: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-11-12/story/fhp-names-woman-killed-fridays-south-jacksonville-crash
