JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 60-year-old Jacksonville woman was hit by a minivan and killed Tuesday morning on the Westside, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
State troopers said the van was heading westbound on 103rd Street in the left lane, east of Britton Lane just before 7 a.m. They said Anne Simmons stepped into the left westbound lane from the grass median and into the path of the van.
She was hit and died at the scene.
Troopers said the driver, 35-year-old Sean Schuchart, was not speeding, and it was dark outside and Simmons was wearing dark clothing, so it was probably hard to see her.
According to the FHP, the driver will not face charges. The driver and three teens in the van were not hurt.
Linda Yarbrough, one of Simmons' best friends, said she was shocked when she heard about Simmons' death. She said Simmons (pictured at age 39 in a family photo) was just going to the store to buy sugar.
"She didn't deserve this, but I guess God has his own time. It's just tragic," Yarbrough said. "She'd give you the shirt off her back, she really would. I'm in bad medical (condition), and she'd help me clean, wash and do anything for you."
Yarbrough said just last Friday, Simmons was hit by a car at the same location but that time only suffered minor injuries. Simmons left behind a husband and a daughter.
"She's just a good-hearted, sweet, loving person," said Bonnie Morgan, Simmons roommate. "She had one daughter. That's all she talked about was her daughter, and there's nothing she wouldn't do for anyone. She's just a really sweet lady."
All lanes of 103rd Street reopened about 9 a.m.
Multiple other crashes on the Westside also caused backups. The exit of Interstate 295 northbound was partially blocked at 103rd Street because of a crash and the right lane of I-295 northbound was blocked at Herlong Road because of a crash with injuries.