News Summary
A tragic accident in Jacksonville claimed the life of 16-year-old Alondra Martinez, a student at Atlantic Coast High School. She was struck by a vehicle while crossing Old Kings Road near her bus stop. Initially transported to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries, her condition worsened, leading to her untimely death. The incident has raised concerns about pedestrian safety, prompting advocacy for improved measures. Community members are grieving her loss and calling for action to prevent future accidents.
Jacksonville
A tragic accident occurred on Friday morning when 16-year-old Alondra Martinez, an Atlantic Coast High School student, was struck by a vehicle while crossing Old Kings Road near her bus stop. The incident took place around 6:00 a.m. in a poorly lit area, raising concerns about pedestrian safety in the vicinity.
The driver of the vehicle immediately stopped to assist Martinez and transported her to a nearby medical facility. Initially, medical staff assessed her injuries as life-threatening but later indicated that she had stabilized. Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and her injuries were updated to life-threatening, leading to her untimely death.
Martinez was described by her sister as a loving, caring, and hardworking young woman who had been working at Chick-Fil-A to save money for her dream car, a red Volkswagen Beetle. Her passing has sparked significant grief among family, friends, and the local community, culminating in the creation of a GoFundMe page that raised thousands of dollars shortly after the news of her death.
Advocacy and Safety Improvements
In light of this tragic event, Alondra’s sister is advocating for increased safety measures at the bus stop, specifically calling for the installation of a push-button crosswalk with lights. This recommendation highlights ongoing concerns regarding pedestrian safety, particularly for students commuting to and from school.
Response from Local Authorities
The night before the tragic event, the Duval County Public Schools Superintendent discussed a new safety campaign titled “Be safe, be seen”, launched in response to a rise in accidents involving students. This campaign aims to enhance awareness regarding pedestrian safety among both students and drivers.
This incident marks the seventh traffic fatality of 2025 in Jacksonville, as reported by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). The statistics underline an urgent need for improved safety measures to protect vulnerable pedestrians, especially children.
The principal of Atlantic Coast High School expressed heartfelt condolences to Alondra’s family and friends, announcing that grief counseling services are available for students affected by this tragedy. Both the school and local officials emphasized the critical importance of safety for students and urged drivers to remain vigilant while navigating areas populated by young pedestrians.
Additionally, families in the community are encouraged to engage in discussions with their children regarding pedestrian safety and travel precautions to help mitigate future accidents. As the community grapples with the loss of a young life, the focus remains on fostering a safer environment for all students traveling to and from school.
The heartfelt reactions from the community, along with calls for enhanced safety measures, serve as a poignant reminder of the need for vigilance and preventive action to protect young lives.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News
- Google Search: pedestrian safety school bus
- Florida Politics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: traffic safety
- Action News Jax
- Google News: school bus accident
- Jacksonville.com
- Google Scholar: school bus traffic accidents
- JD News
- Wikipedia: Traffic safety
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
