Woman, 37, struck, killed near Baldwin

FHP: U.S. 90 closed in both directions through morning commute

BALDWIN, Fla. – A 37-year-old Jacksonville woman was hit by a pickup truck and killed Tuesday morning in Nassau County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

State troopers said the truck was heading eastbound on U.S. Highway 90 at Log Road, near the Duval-Nassau county line and just west of Baldwin, about 5:40 a.m. when Elizabeth Chessman was in the road and hit.

Troopers said the driver, 25-year-old Kristian Bennett of Macclenny, was unable to avoid Chessman, possibly due to low-light conditions and because Chessman was wearing dark clothing.

Bennett thought she struck a deer, then turned around and went back to the scene, troopers said. That's when she realized she hit a person and notified law enforcement.

Chessman died at the scene.

Bennett was not hurt.

U.S. 90 was closed in both directions just west of U.S. 301 for several hours while authorities investigated the crash.

Travelers were re-routed to Interstate 10 as an alternate route until the highway was reopened about 9:30 a.m.