FHP: Woman, 66, hit, killed in crosswalk

Blanding Boulevard at 103rd Street was closed for hours

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A woman was hit and killed by a pickup truck Thursday morning on the Westside, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said 66-year-old, Patricia Jean Giuffre, was in the crosswalk on Blanding Boulevard at 103rd Street just before 6 a.m. when she was hit by the truck driven by a 34-year-old Detra Williams.

According to FHP, the truck was heading north on Blanding approaching a green light at 103rd and the pedestrian tried to cross west on 103rd against the traffic control signal.

The woman's identity was not released, pending notification of next of kin.

All northbound lanes of Blanding Boulevard were closed at 103rd Street for hours.

"This is dangerous for anybody at any age at any time of day becuase this is very busy intersection," Channel 4 safety analyst Ken Jefferson said. "People coming and going from naval bases, you've got a lot of businesses, a lot of private residences here."

Jefferson said there are other things to be aware of at busy intersections like this.

"What we've got to be cautious of is cars trying to make a right turn," Jefferson said. "We were about to walk across the street and these cars totally ignored us. Even though you have -- as a pedestrian, you've got the right away, you've got to make sure it's clear."