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JACKSONVILLE, Duval County, Fla., Oct. 4, 2026 — A driver died on Sunday afternoon, October 4, after his car struck a semi-truck on southbound I-295 near Wilson Boulevard on Jacksonville's Westside, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. All southbound lanes were shut down while crews worked the scene.
Troopers said a 29-year-old Jacksonville man was driving in the center lane of southbound I-295 when he swerved left to avoid a disabled vehicle. His car then struck the rear of a semi-truck that was stopped on the inside shoulder. The truck driver had reportedly stopped to help whoever was in the disabled vehicle.
The impact reportedly caused the man's car to spin and come to rest blocking the left lane. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported, including to the truck driver or the occupants of the disabled vehicle.
All southbound lanes of I-295 at Wilson Boulevard were closed as officials diverted traffic off the interstate. The crash remains under investigation, and further details, including the man's identity, had not been released as of Sunday.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
Where Rear-End Crashes Involving Trucks Tend To Happen
Crashes like this one usually start on open interstate stretches where a stopped or slow-moving vehicle meets fast-moving traffic with no warning. A truck pulled onto a shoulder, a disabled car blocking part of a lane, or sudden congestion ahead can turn a routine drive into a split-second decision for the driver behind it. On highways with higher speed limits, that decision window shrinks.
Interstate shoulders and inside lanes next to barriers are common trouble spots because there is little room to maneuver once a driver swerves to avoid an obstacle. A car cutting left to dodge one hazard can end up colliding with another vehicle it did not see in time, particularly a large truck that takes up more space and reacts more slowly to sudden braking.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4 percent of large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 g/dL or higher in 2023. Many fatal truck-involved crashes instead trace back to following distance, visibility, or a vehicle stopped somewhere a trailing driver does not expect to find one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are a truck's blind spots and why do they matter?
Large trucks have wide no-visibility zones directly behind, in front of, and along both sides of the trailer. A car that lingers in one of these spots may be invisible to the truck driver, which is part of why sudden lane changes near trucks carry extra risk for everyone involved.
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully beneath a truck's trailer during a collision, usually in a rear-end or side-impact scenario. These crashes can be severe because the trailer height usually lines up with the occupant compartment of a passenger car.
What are common causes of large-truck accidents?
Investigators usually point to following too closely, delayed braking, driver fatigue, equipment failure, and vehicles stopped unexpectedly in or near travel lanes. Weather and road obstructions also play a role in many cases.
How can drivers share the road with trucks safely?
Keep extra following distance, avoid lingering beside a trailer, and pass with plenty of room before merging back in. If a vehicle ahead stops or slows suddenly, braking early is safer than swerving into another lane without checking first.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Jacksonville, FL
If you're involved in a crash with a semi-truck, call 911 and stay as far from moving traffic as safely possible while waiting for help. Even if you feel fine, ask for a medical evaluation, since injuries from a truck collision are not always obvious right away.
Get the names of everyone involved, along with contact information for any witnesses, and request a copy of the official crash report once it's available. Photograph the scene, vehicle positions, and any visible damage if you're able to do so safely. In Jacksonville, as elsewhere, these early steps can matter later for insurance claims and for understanding exactly what happened.
