Northbound U.S. 301 near Baldwin reopened after fatal morning crash left children and another driver injured

Crash shuts down northbound lanes during morning hours

A fatal crash on U.S. 301 near Baldwin blocked all northbound lanes for about an hour Thursday, February 26, 2026, as troopers and emergency crews worked the scene and investigators began documenting what happened.

The collision occurred around 8:30 a.m. near Summerfield Lane in Duval County. By approximately 11 a.m., northbound traffic was fully shut down in the area. The roadway reopened about an hour later, restoring northbound flow along a corridor that connects Baldwin and nearby communities to Interstate 10 and the wider Jacksonville region.

What investigators say happened

Investigators reported that a blue Honda sedan driven by a 59-year-old Baldwin woman was traveling across the northbound lanes near Summerfield Lane toward a grassy median when it was struck by a gray Ford pickup truck traveling northbound. The impact was described as occurring as the Honda crossed directly into the pickup’s path.

The Honda driver died at the scene. Two children—ages 4 and 7—who were riding in the Honda suffered serious injuries and were transported for medical care. Troopers said both children were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 28-year-old woman from Callahan, also sustained serious injuries.

Traffic impacts and what remains unknown

Lane closures and full northbound blockage reflected the severity of the collision, the need for emergency response access, and the time required for investigators to document vehicle positions, roadway evidence, and crash dynamics before vehicles could be removed.

Authorities had not released the identities of those involved as of Thursday afternoon. Key factors that are often central to crash investigations—such as whether speed, impairment, distraction, or visibility played a role—had not been publicly detailed. The investigation was ongoing.

Key confirmed details

• Date and time: Thursday, February 26, 2026, around 8:30 a.m.

• Location: U.S. 301 near Summerfield Lane, near Baldwin in Duval County

• Vehicles: Blue Honda sedan and gray Ford pickup truck

• Fatality: 59-year-old woman, pronounced dead at the scene

• Injuries: Two children (ages 4 and 7) seriously injured; 28-year-old pickup driver seriously injured

• Traffic: All northbound lanes blocked near 11 a.m.; reopened about an hour later

Drivers in the Baldwin area experienced significant delays during the late-morning closure as northbound travel was halted near Summerfield Lane.

Officials urged motorists to use caution in the area as the investigation continued and normal traffic patterns resumed.