News Summary

A tragic accident on Baymeadows Road resulted in the fatalities of a beloved math teacher and his young son. The incident has ignited concerns about pedestrian safety in Jacksonville, prompting local officials to call for improved traffic measures. The school community is mourning the loss and seeking support for the affected family through fundraising efforts. Councilman Joe Carlucci advocates for systemic traffic safety reforms as part of a broader initiative to protect pedestrians and enhance road safety in the area.

Jacksonville

A tragic incident on May 16, 2025, led to the deaths of Mitchell Patch, a Duval County Public Schools math teacher at Bayview Elementary, and his 1-year-old son, Everett. They were struck by a vehicle while crossing Baymeadows Road around 8:30 PM and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the incident, Principal Kelly York expressed condolences to the Bayview Elementary community, highlighting Patch’s dedication to his students and the school. In response to the tragedy, the school will provide specially trained counselors and social workers to support students and staff who are grieving the loss.

The circumstances of the incident have raised significant concerns regarding pedestrian safety on Baymeadows Road. Councilman Joe Carlucci is advocating for improved traffic measures, including new crosswalks and pedestrian lights, and has reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to conduct a traffic study and propose necessary improvements in the area.

Prior to this crash, there were two other reported accidents at the same location in 2025, including a hit-and-run incident. This has led to increased frustration among community members who are seeking urgent action to enhance traffic safety and prevent future tragedies.

In addition to the immediate local responses, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist Patch’s wife with funeral costs and other related expenses during this difficult time, showing a strong outpouring of community support for the family.

This incident is part of a broader context of traffic dangers in Jacksonville, where there have been a total of 62 traffic fatalities recorded in 2025, with 12 of those involving pedestrians. City officials are actively reviewing the situation and aiming for enhanced traffic safety measures, aligning with the community’s urgent calls for action.

Carlucci has emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive traffic safety project rather than simply applying minimal measures such as stop signs or adding paint for crosswalks. The recent tragic event has renewed calls for immediate improvements to protect pedestrians in the area.

Jacksonville has been working under its ‘Vision Zero Action Plan,’ which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2035. This initiative acknowledges the city’s high rates of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths and highlights the urgent need for systemic changes to traffic safety policies to protect vulnerable road users.

As the community mourns the loss of Mitchell Patch and his son Everett, local leaders and residents are rallying for meaningful changes to their streets, advocating for the safety of all citizens to ensure that such tragic incidents do not happen again.

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Additional Resources

• Action News Jax
• Wikipedia: Jacksonville
• News 4 Jax
• Google Search: Traffic Safety Jacksonville
• First Coast News