Jacksonville father and business owner killed in wrong-way crash, loved ones say

Jacksonville, FL. — Family and friends have identified Jacksonville father and business owner, Chris Britton, 48, as one of two people killed in a wrong-way crash overnight.

It happened in the San Marco on I-95 North near the Fuller Warren bridge.

FHP says a car being driven the wrong way by a 26-year-old man hit an oncoming SUV, causing the SUV to catch fire.

Britton’s loved ones say he was driving the SUV.

“He was a good man, a father, son, a brother,” said friend, Charity Coley.

Britton was known locally for his photography business, ‘Candid Poetry Multimedia.’

Coley says Britton helped her launch her business seven years ago.

“And I couldn’t really afford $2,000, you know, for some pictures. He saw my post on Facebook and he reached out to me. And he said, ‘I’ll take your pictures for you.’ That’s the type of man he was. And he did me a whole business photo shoot for my business for free,” said Coley.

It’s one of several wrong-way crashes in Northeast Florida in recent weeks.

FDOT tells Action News Jax it’s in the process of installing 11 new wrong-way detection systems in the Jacksonville area.

“… Motorists should be reminded to ‘stay right at night,’ never drive impaired and pay close attention to signage and pavement markings to prevent wrong way driving,” said in part, spokesperson Hampton Ray.

“I feel sorry for his family. Because he might’ve been a friend to me. But that was somebody’s child. That was somebody’s fiancé,” said Coley.

FDOT Statement:

“The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) extends its heartfelt condolences to those impacted by fatal crashes that occurred overnight. FDOT supports law enforcement as they investigate the cause of the crash, including any contributing factors that may have been present.

FDOT currently has a wrong way detection system located at I-95 and Norwood Avenue. The detection system recognizes if a vehicle is traveling the wrong direction on the ramp, illuminating signage and alerting Florida Highway Patrol of the wrong way driver. The detection system complements existing red raised pavement markings (RPMs) that illuminate when vehicle lights shine on the ramp.

FDOT is in the process of installing additional wrong way detection systems at the following locations:

• I-95 NB to Old Saint Augustine Rd (exit 335)
• I-95 NB to US 23/West Union St (exit 353B)
• I-95 SB to US 23/West Union St (exit 353B)
• I-95 NB to US 23/Kings Rd (exit 353C)
• I-95 SB to US 23/Kings Rd (exit 353C)
• I-95 NB to West 8th St (exit 353D)
• I-95 SB to West 8th St (exit 353D)
• I-95 NB to SR 152/Baymeadows Rd (exit 341)
• I-95 NB to SR 152/Baymeadows Rd (exit 341)
• I-95 SB to SR 105/Heckscher Dr/Zoo Parkway/Broward Rd (exit 358B)
• I-95 NB to SR 104/Dunn Ave (exit 360)

FDOT is hopeful these systems will assist drivers who drive the wrong way. Motorists should be reminded to “stay right at night,” never drive impaired and pay close attention to signage and pavement markings to prevent wrong way driving.”

Cox Media Group