3 dead after alleged drunk driver T-bones coupe in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, FL – Three people died when their four-dour coupe was T-boned by a Ford F250 crew cab in the Arlington neighborhood on the east side of Jacksonville on Thursday evening. The driver of the Ford is believed to have been intoxicated at the time.
This collision occurred on the 8400 block of Merrill Road around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, First Coast News reported. A family in a coupe was headed west on Merrill Road when a pickup traveling south on Hartsfield Road swerved into the wrong lanes before slamming into the coupe on the passenger’s side. The force of the crash sent both vehicles off the roadway on the south side of Merrill Road.
Police arrested the driver of the Ford after noticing he smelled of alcohol. He has been identified as Orlando Lopez Vazquez, 40. Police say Vazquez expressed confusion about where he was during questioning.
The driver of the coupe – an adult in their 50s – was taken to a hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. A passenger in their 20s and another in their 80s were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third passenger in their 50s died after transport to an area hospital.
Have you lost a loved one in a motor vehicle collision someone else caused? If so, The Pendas Law Firm understands the pain and hurt you’re feeling and wants to express how truly sorry we are for your loss. As wrongful death lawyers, we are ready to fight for your right to compensation and hold the other party accountable for their actions. Please fill out a contact form or call The Pendas Law Firm at 844-200-0000 for a free, no-obligation case review.
