Man killed after rear-ending school bus in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On Thursday a man was killed after driving his Jeep Cherokee into the back of a Duval County school bus, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Traffic homicide detectives said at approximately 1:40 p.m., the bus driver had just left the bus yard and was on her way to pick up students at a nearby school when the crash occurred.

Shortly after the bus turned south onto Lee Road, the driver of the Jeep Cherokee slammed into the back of the bus. JSO said the speed limit on the particular stretch of Lee Rd. is 35 mph.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department first responders extricated the man from the vehicle but he was pronounced dead a short time later at a local hospital, according to JSO. At this time the man killed has not been identified.

There were no students on the bus at the time of the crash and police said the driver was not hurt.

JSO traffic homicide Lt. Rich Buoy said the man was not wearing a seatbelt and excessive speed is suspected. It is also unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

This is the 149th traffic homicide of 2021.

“I implore you, please slow down. Speed kills,” said Buoy at a press conference at the scene.

“To just got out, and you’re going from point A to point B, and it’s over. Now my detectives have to go find your family and tell them that someone they love isn’t coming home. Be smart,” Buoy pleaded.

©2021 Cox Media Group