GPD investigating traffic homicide on NW 39th Avenue
Press release from Gainesville Police Department
On Saturday, June 5, 2021, at approximately 9:30 p.m., multiple Gainesville Police Department (GPD) units responded to a two vehicle crash at the 1400 block of NW 39th Avenue.
The initial investigation revealed that a Toyota sedan was exiting out of the north-side parking lot of Publix, making a right turn on NW 39th Avenue. At the same time, a Jeep was traveling east from the 1900 block of NW 39th Avenue, reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed. The Jeep then collided with the Toyota.
The occupants of the Toyota, both female, were extricated from their vehicle with the Jaws of Life by Gainesville Fire Rescue. The passenger was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver was taken to UF Shands, where she remains in critical condition.
The driver of the Jeep, whose vehicle hit a wall on the north side of NW 39th Avenue after the collision, was also transported to UF Shands, where he remains in intensive care with head injuries.
GPD extends its condolences and prayers to the family that lost their loved one.
This remains an on-going investigation. At this time, no charges or citations have been issued.
That intersection is famous for drivers trying to rush the light before it turns red. Saturday, after dark is particularly dangerous.
So calling it a traffic homicide when it’s actually a traffic fatality. Way to skew the news.
The loss of life and the possible disabilities in vehicle accidents are generally preventable. We all know this and we are still making excuses and it is tragic. It has NOTHING to do with the intersection itself being “dangerous”, but as discussed above with drivers trying to “Rush” the light. It has to do with the drivers NOT paying full attention. We decide to change the roads, change the timing of or add traffic signals, add more lighting, put in traffic calmers, lower speed limits, add speed humps and maybe even post a patrol car at each dangerous intersection in the entire county and yet still, we will have deadly vehicle accidents. It is people. Someone can be 100% not at fault and yet die because one driver is not attentive, decides to drink and drive or decides running that red light will get them to wherever they are going on time, rather than late. Don’t let this happen to you.