One Killed in Head-On Truck Collision on CR 165 in Jackson County, FL
Jackson County, FL — January 3, 2023, a 70-year-old Georgia man died in a collision with a commercial truck on County Road 165 in Jackson County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 7:50 a.m. on CR 165 near Dozier Road. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was driving a truck south on the roadway as a vehicle described as a "tractor truck" was northbound on the other side. The victim allegedly crossed over the road's center line into the oncoming lane and collided with the tractor truck head-on. After the impact the tractor truck ran off the road and crashed into a tree.
The Georgia man was pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor truck driver sustained serious injuries.
The crash remains under investigation. No further information is currently available.
Investigators reported that the man who lost his life in this accident crossed left of center, and folks may take that at face value and think he just made a mistake. However, it's best not to take preliminary reports as the final word of a wreck. There's still plenty of investigating to do and many other potential factors to consider, but making sure they get proper attention is where things get challenging.
Little as I like saying it, police efforts aren't always enough to uncover the whole story. In a similar wreck not long ago, for example, they claimed a car crossed the center line and hit an 18-wheeler. When our investigators looked again, though, they found the 18-wheeler crossed over first after its driver fell asleep at the wheel. The truck hit the rumble strips and the driver woke up, then swerved back toward his lane. The victim couldn't avoid the big rig again, but because both vehicles were found in the truck's lane police assumed the car crossed over.
I'm not saying that happened in Jackson County, but if police can miss something that big they might let all kinds of crucial details slip through the cracks. That's why people should be aware of the potential pitfalls of a "by the book" investigation and what it might miss. At the very least the folks affected by one of these terrible accidents deserve as many answers as they can get.
