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St. Augustine, FL (July 20, 2026) – A 68-year-old woman died, and a St. Johns County deputy was seriously injured Saturday night, July 18, in a wreck on State Road 16, investigators said. She was turning left onto State Road 16 eastbound from Stratton Boulevard around 8:20 p.m. when she pulled out in front of the deputy, who was heading west in the left lane.
The front of the deputy’s SUV struck the driver’s side of her SUV, sending her vehicle spinning into the eastbound left turn lane. The deputy’s SUV then crossed the eastbound lanes and hit a stop sign.
The deputy, 30, was hospitalized with serious wounds, while the driver of the other vehicle did not survive. She was reportedly wearing a seat belt, and the deputy was not. Stratton Boulevard at State Road 16 was closed in both directions afterward and reopened around 2 a.m. Sunday.
St. Johns County Commissioner Clay Murphy, a former Florida Highway Patrol trooper, said the intersection has become a growing concern as nearby commercial growth adds traffic to the curve. He said state transportation officials have been working to redesign roads to reduce similar cross-traffic risks, though the proposed changes have drawn public pushback.
The exact cause of the accident remains under review, and more information may be released as the case develops.
Our condolences go out to her family as the deputy continues to recover.
Why Are Left-Turn Crashes So Frequent at Busy Intersections?
Left-turn collisions are among the most frequent types of crashes at intersections across the country. They happen when a driver misjudges the speed or distance of oncoming traffic while trying to cross multiple lanes. Even brief lapses in judgment can lead to serious outcomes, especially on roads with higher speed limits.
Traffic engineers study how curves, medians, and turn lanes affect visibility at these intersections. Poor sightlines can make it harder for drivers to see approaching vehicles until it is too late to react safely. Growth in nearby development can also add more vehicles to an intersection than it was originally designed to handle.
Seat belts remain one of the most effective tools for reducing harm in a side-impact crash. They help keep occupants properly positioned during a sudden collision, which can lower the risk of severe injury. Buckling up takes only a few seconds but can make a real difference in how a crash outcome unfolds.
