Woman Killed in Chain-Reaction Crash on JTB After Car Loses Control, FHP Says

A devastating chain-reaction crash on J. Turner Butler Boulevard (JTB) Saturday night left a 36-year-old woman dead and several others injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The wreck, which occurred near Belfort Road around 9:30 p.m., underscores the dangers of high-speed traffic corridors and the catastrophic impact one moment of lost control can create.

FHP reports the woman was driving an SUV in the right westbound lane of JTB, stopped in traffic behind another SUV and a pickup truck. Traffic congestion is common in this stretch of roadway, particularly during weekend hours.

At the same time:

• A 41-year-old woman driving a car in the center lane lost control of her vehicle.
• The car swerved sharply into the right lane.
• Despite attempting to brake, the driver slammed into the rear of the stopped SUV.
• The impact was strong enough to push the SUV forward into the other SUV and then into the pickup truck ahead.

This triggered a multi-vehicle pile-up that left vehicles crumpled, lanes blocked, and emergency crews racing to respond.

The crash resulted in:

• The death of the 36-year-old SUV driver, who was transported to a Jacksonville area hospital but did not survive.
• Her 35-year-old male passenger, who suffered minor injuries.
• The 41-year-old driver of the at-fault vehicle, who sustained serious injuries.
• The 25-year-old woman driving the second SUV, and the 37-year-old man and 26-year-old woman in the pickup truck, all of whom were uninjured.

FHP confirmed that everyone involved was wearing a seat belt, highlighting the severity of the impact.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released information regarding the cause of the losing control—whether speeding, distraction, mechanical failure, or weather conditions played a role.

Collisions involving multiple vehicles are often far more serious because:

• Drivers behind the initial impact have no time to react
• Stopped traffic creates a high-risk environment for secondary impacts
• Speed differentials between moving and stopped vehicles magnify force
• One driver’s loss of control can lead to multiple victims across several vehicles

JTB, known for fast-moving traffic and sudden slowdowns, is especially prone to these types of high-energy collisions.

Legal Options for Families After a Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up

Families who lose a loved one in a crash like this face immense grief and unexpected financial burdens. Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, surviving family members may pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of support and companionship
• Mental pain and suffering

Because this was a chain-reaction crash, determining liability requires:

• Accident reconstruction
• Eyewitness testimony
• Surveillance footage, dashcam video, and traffic camera data
• Vehicle black box data
• Skid mark analysis
• Roadway condition review

Even though only one driver lost control, multiple parties—such as a vehicle manufacturer, a maintenance provider, or a third-party driver—could share in legal responsibility depending on the findings.

Why Victims Need an Experienced Florida Injury & Wrongful Death Attorney

Multi-vehicle collisions are among the most complex cases under Florida personal injury law. Insurance carriers often attempt to:

• Shift blame to other drivers
• Claim the victim “stopped suddenly”
• Minimize payouts by arguing comparative negligence

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we take on intricate, high-stakes cases that large firms sometimes avoid. Because we intentionally maintain a small caseload, we are able to:

• Conduct thorough investigations
• Preserve crucial evidence immediately
• Work directly with forensic experts
• Provide families with personal, lawyer-level attention
• Fight aggressively to hold negligent drivers accountable

Families pay nothing unless we win.

Wrongful death cases require fast action to preserve evidence and protect your rights. If your family member was involved in this tragedy or a similar crash anywhere in Jacksonville or Northeast Florida, our attorneys are ready to help.