Fleming Island man dies in Orange Park crash

ORANGE PARK – A 54-year-old Fleming Island man died Monday morning in a two-car accident that shut down traffic on U.S. 17 for nearly three hours.
Michael Cummings was killed when his Toyota veered southbound across the median at Loring Avenue. Cummings’ minivan then sideswiped a pickup truck being driven by Herbert Robertson, 33, of Jacksonville. Robertson wasn’t injured.
Cummings’ family said he may have suffered a stroke or heart attack before the accident.
Cumming’s vehicle came to rest in the center and southbound lanes facing northwest with blocked the roadway, Florida Highway Patrol said.

‘Miles for Marcel’ to honor man killed in single-car crash

JACKSONVILLE – An Orange Park man was killed early last Saturday, July 6, when he was thrown from his SUV after he ran off the shoulder of Interstate 295 at the University of North Florida exit.
Marcel Mendez, 30, died at the scene, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Mendez was a 2006 graduate of Ridgeview High.
Members of the Oakleaf Athletic Center on 370 Oakleaf Village Parkway in Orange Park will host a “Miles for Marcel” event on July 27 at noon.

Woman dead after running head-on into tractor

MELROSE – A 71-year-old Starke woman was killed last week after she ran head-on into a tractor on County Road 214 at Austin Road.
Jeanette Hars was driving westbound on CR 214 when she failed to negotiate a curve, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Her car veered into the eastbound lane and struck a tractor that was traveling on the shoulder.
The tractor’s driver, Stephen Reyes, 68, of Keystone Heights was sent to UF Health in Gainesville. His injuries were listed as serious, FHP reported.