JSO correctional officer dies after motorcycle crash in St. Johns County

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The motorcyclist critically injured in a crash with a van on State Road 13 in Switzerland early Tuesday afternoon has died. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has identified the victim as 22-year-old Roger Highcove Jr., who was a JSO correction officer and son of a police lieutenant.

The crash was on SR 13 North at Friendship Drive. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Highcove was northbound on his Kawasaki just after noon and entered the southbound lanes to pass other cars.

Troopers said he had passed three cars when a northbound GMC Jimmy driven by Patricia Thornton made a left turn onto Friendship Drive and Highcove's motorcycle collided into it. Highcove was wearing a helmet.

According to St. Johns County Fire Rescue, bystanders found the motorcyclist unresponsive and not breathing after the crash. He was transported to Memorial Emergency Center-Julington Creek with life-threatening injuries, where he died.

"Sheriff John Rutherford and the entire JSO family wish to express our deepest condolences to the Highcove family, Roger's many friends, and we hold them in our prayers," said a release from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.


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Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.