JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 20-year-old man was killed over the weekend after being struck by two vehicles while crossing Philips Highway.
The Florida Highway Patrol identified the victim as Savion Henry, a Bishop Kenny graduate described by friends as funny, kind-hearted, and hard-working. Henry was wearing all-black clothing and attempting to cross the highway from the median when he was hit.
Officials said the drivers of both vehicles are cooperating with law enforcement, and the crash remains under investigation.
Henry’s death has sparked calls for safer streets, amplified by a viral TikTok video from his friend, Kaylee Mahony.
“So my friend died last night. He got hit by two cars,” Mahony says in a TikTok video that has garnered over 4.6 million views.
In the video, Mahony shows the area where Henry was walking, pointing out the lack of safe pedestrian options.
“This is where he was walking. Where else was he supposed to go? It’s not his fault,” Mahony says in the video.
She told News4JAX she hopes the attention the video has received will bring about change.
A separate TikTok video shared by Mahony mourning her friend has over 4.8 million views. In the caption, she pleads with others not to wear all-black clothing at night.
“They shouldn’t, like, put the blame on him when they didn’t give him a safe way to walk,” Mahony said.
Mahony described Henry as a great person and said his sudden death still feels unreal. She believes Henry had no safer place to cross the road.
“I looked on Google Earth, and it surprised me that they said he was walking in the highway for an unknown reason because on the maps, there was nowhere else where he could have walked,” she said.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued a statement to News4JAX, emphasizing its commitment to safety.
“Our hearts break whenever we learn of a serious injury on the roadway,” an FDOT spokesperson said. “As is standard operating procedure, FDOT reviews all reported crashes on state roadways and interstates – a special emphasis is placed on fatalities and crashes with injuries. If there are improvements that can be made to enhance the safety of the facilities, FDOT will work to implement the improvements.”
The agency said it will implement improvements if warranted, such as enhanced pavement markings, signage, or crosswalk upgrades.
Henry’s friends are raising money to support his family through a GoFundMe campaign. Those who wish to donate can find more information here.