Van carrying inmates involved in SR 24 crash

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

According to a release from Florida Highway Patrol, 8 inmates from Lawtey Correctional Institution were transported to UF Health Shands Gainesville with non-life-threatening injuries after the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) van they were riding in was hit by a car.

At 7:10 a.m. today, a gray Toyota Corolla, driven by a 19-year-old Jacksonville man, was traveling southbound on SR 24 near NE 69th Way in the inside lane. An FDOT van driven by a 47-year-old Starke man was traveling southbound in the outside lane. The Corolla veered into the outside lane, and the right front of the Corolla struck the left rear of the passenger van. The Corolla rotated and ended up on the west shoulder of SR 24, facing east. The van pulled onto the west shoulder and stopped. The van was transporting 8 inmates from Lawtey Correctional Institution, who were all transported to UF Health Shands Gainesville to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No injuries to either driver were reported.