JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 19-year-old pedestrian lost his life after being struck by a pickup truck on US-17 in Clay County Wednesday morning, as reported by the Florida Highway Patrol. 

Troopers said the crash happened around 8 a.m. on U.S. Highway 17 near JP Hall Boulevard in Green Cove Springs.

Authorities mentioned that a 57-year-old woman was heading northbound when the man stepped into her lane and was struck. The driver stayed at the location and is fully cooperating with the investigation.

The tragic news rapidly spread throughout the community, raising concerns among local residents who claim US-17 has become increasingly perilous due to ongoing construction, high traffic volume, and the rise of distracted driving.

“It could have been one of mine,” said Sierra Tyson, a Clay County mother who drives US 17 daily. “It’s really bad with all the construction. You only got two ways in and two ways out now.”

Tyson described seeing distracted drivers on the road, including one woman eating cereal in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

She said she learned about the crash through a community safety app and felt nervous and scared.

“I just tried to avoid the area,” Tyson said.

Longtime residents echoed her concerns.

“It was alarming… it’s not good regardless of the scenario,” said Thomas Fortune, who has lived in the area for 20 years. “Pay attention. I mean, this could be anybody’s loved one.”

Both Tyson and Fortune said the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for drivers to slow down and stay alert.

Florida Highway Patrol said the investigation is ongoing and no further details were immediately available.