JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A woman, who lost her 7-year-old sister in a crash on the Buckman Bridge last year, told News4JAX that a crash that killed a man on Monday morning serves as a painful reminder of how dangerous that bridge can be.
Interstate 295 southbound on the Buckman Bridge reopened around 12:45 p.m. Monday after being shut down for nearly seven hours following a crash that killed a 28-year-old man driving a pickup truck around 6 a.m.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 28-year-old man driving a pickup truck hit the back of a box truck that was disabled in the left emergency lane south of U.S. 17 on the Buckman Bridge.
The driver of the pickup truck died at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt, according to the crash report.
For Shawndell McGriff, crashes on the Buckman Bridge bring up a horrible memory of her little sister, Serenity Holland, who died in a crash at that location in the summer of 2024.
“Speeding drivers and just dangerous, and how there’s not much that separates the cars from the water if there is an accident,” McGriff said.
According to McGriff, Holland and her family were on the Buckman Bridge when a driver struck them, leading to the little girl’s death.
The driver, identified as Quinttarius Donald, left the scene but was eventually arrested.
McGriff said all her family wants is justice.
“There’s no amount of time that will, I guess, matter based on her life that won’t equal up to it, but doing just a slap on the wrist won’t help heal us at all,” said McGriff.
The Florida Highway Patrol shared data that shows the number of crashes on the Buckman Bridge since 2023.
| Buckman Bridge Crash Data | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatal injury | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Incapacitating injury | 6 | 2 | 8 | |
| Non-incapacitating injury | 17 | 16 | 9 | 42 |
| Possible injury | 18 | 20 | 3 | 41 |
| Property damage only | 101 | 96 | 39 | 236 |
| Total | 143 | 135 | 51 | 329 |
For the McGriff family, the Buckman Bridge is symbolic of a heartbreaking moment for their family. McGriff said she hopes that drivers slow down and drive the speed limit when traveling on this bridge.
Donald is facing one count of vehicular homicide and driving with a suspended license. He will be back in court for an arraignment on July 2.
