Fatal I-295 Buckman Bridge crash shuts southbound lanes for hours, forcing major detours across Jacksonville

What happened on the Buckman Bridge

A fatal crash on Interstate 295 southbound on the Buckman Bridge shut down multiple lanes and ultimately stopped all southbound traffic for hours during the morning commute. The collision occurred on Monday, June 30, 2025, and involved a pickup truck and a box truck on the bridge segment south of U.S. 17.

Investigators determined the box truck was disabled in the left emergency lane when the pickup truck entered that emergency lane and struck the rear of the box truck. The pickup driver, a 28-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The box truck driver, a 43-year-old man from Tampa, was not injured. A passenger in the box truck sustained minor injuries.

Timeline of lane closures and reopening

Emergency crews and law enforcement responded shortly after the crash was reported around 6 a.m. Initial reports indicated multiple southbound lanes were blocked, with traffic being diverted off the interstate as responders worked the scene.

• Early morning: Southbound lanes were progressively restricted as the response expanded from partial lane blockages to a full shutdown.

• Midday: Southbound lanes reopened at approximately 12:45 p.m., ending a closure that lasted nearly seven hours.

During the closure, traffic was diverted to alternate routes including U.S. 17 and State Road 21, with congestion spreading well beyond the bridge approaches as drivers sought other crossings.

Why this type of crash can trigger prolonged shutdowns

Extended closures after fatal crashes are often driven by overlapping operational needs: emergency medical response, securing the scene, documenting evidence for a crash reconstruction, and clearing damaged vehicles and debris from travel lanes and shoulders. On a high-volume bridge with limited maneuvering space, even an incident confined to a shoulder or emergency lane can create safety hazards for responders and stranded motorists, prompting broader lane restrictions.

The crash involved a vehicle in an emergency lane, a scenario that can complicate both initial response and investigative work on a bridge corridor.

What drivers should know going forward

The Buckman Bridge is a key connector between the Westside/Orange Park area and Mandarin/Southside, and disruptions quickly cascade into regional backups. In major incidents, motorists should anticipate detours, slower emergency access, and longer clearance times than on surface streets.

• Plan for alternatives when southbound I-295 over the Buckman Bridge is blocked, including U.S. 17 and other crossings depending on origin and destination.

• Expect long delays when closures occur during peak commute windows, as diversion routes can congest rapidly.

• Use extra caution near stopped or disabled vehicles and give emergency personnel as much space as possible.

The crash remained under investigation as traffic patterns normalized after reopening.