Young Child Killed After High-Speed Chase on I-95 in Duval County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 1, 2022

According to preliminary collision reports from officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, a five-year-old child kidnapping victim passed away Thursday evening after the vehicle she was riding in crashed into a retention pond located near the 9B exit of Interstate 95 in Duval County.

The relatives and friends of a 5-year-old child are in mourning this Friday morning as they deal with the aftermath of a high-speed crash that tragically claimed the life of their young family member last night in northern Jacksonville. Early details from members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office indicate that it was shortly after 7:30 p.m. on March 31, 2022, when authorities were alerted to a potential kidnapping situation involving a 5-year-old victim and an adult driver.

As police officers proceeded to the scene where the alleged kidnapping occurred, the suspect’s vehicle was identified. “As the officer turned to approach the vehicle from behind, the suspect sped off, obviously seeing the officer, and a pursuit began at that point as we were responding to a kidnapping in progress with an armed suspect,” said Officer Christian Hancock, a representative of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, in a statement to the press.

The high-speed chase took place between the area of Dunn Avenue to Biscayne Boulevard and continued through Jacksonville after the kidnapping suspect turned onto I-95 South over the Fuller Warren Bridge. As their vehicle approached the vicinity of the 9B exit along the interstate near Old St. Augustine Road, the driver drove off the exit ramp and crashed into a nearby retention pond. Pursuing authorities immediately jumped into the water and were able to successfully apprehend the vehicle’s driver, however, they were unable to locate the young child. It was only after the local fire department arrived at the scene and assisted with the search that the 5-year-old child was located at the bottom of the pond. The young victim did not survive.

The driver, whose identity has not yet been released to the public, was arrested and faces charges of traffic homicide. Additional charges surrounding the deadly incident are expected to be filed.

For over forty years, wrongful death attorney James O. Cunningham has been representing victims that have been killed during auto accidents in Florida. To schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please contact us today at 877-FL-INJURY.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.