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Michael Eddins, 55, is on administrative leave following his arrest, Nassau County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Brady Rigdon confirmed Tuesday.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Nassau County Fire Rescue battalion chief is on administrative leave after he was arrested last week in Duval County.
Michael Eddins, aged 55, was taken into custody on Saturday for a hit-and-run incident resulting in injury, classified as a third-degree felony, according to online arrest records. He secured his release on Sunday after paying a $25,003 bond.
Nassau County Fire Rescue confirmed Eddins was placed on leave following his arrest.
Nassau County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Brady Rigdon acknowledged being informed of the charges against the individual on June 14, 2025. In a statement to First Coast News, he remarked, “Effective immediately, he has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending a review of this case, as well as departmental and county policies.”
An arrest report accessed by First Coast News on Tuesday reveals that officers were called to the HCA Florida Mandarin Emergency on San Jose Boulevard about a reported hit-and-run incident.
When officers arrived, the report states that the witness involved told officers Eddins was driving westbound on Baymeadows Road and was in a turn lane, but had to quickly change lanes to continue straight on the road.
The witness said he didn’t believe he cut another driver off, but mentioned a truck was “very close” to the rear of his car at the intersection of Baymeadows Road and Baymeadows Way, the report states.
The report states that the witness said the truck then went around him, merged into his lane and sideswiped his vehicle’s front bumper. The witness said this caused his vehicle to go up on the curb and him to slam on his brakes.
The report indicates the truck continued westbound on Baymeadows Road and did not pull over.
The witness’ girlfriend, who was a passenger in the vehicle, said she was having stomach pain following the crash.
“It should be noted, when the witness called to report the hit-and-run, there were no reported injuries,” the report states.
The woman told police that when the witness slammed on the brakes, the seatbelt tightened on her stomach, causing severe pain. She said a doctor diagnosed her with an abdominal contusion and prescribed pain medicine.
Eddins was later located and placed under arrest on charges of leaving the scene of a crash with injuries.
He is slated to be back in court July 7, court records show.
