A 26-year-old Lake City woman died yesterday after the 2005 Kia Optima she was driving crossed into the path of an oncoming logging truck on U.S. 90 about 5 am.
Lindsay Danielle Chace was heading east and the 2001 International semi tractor-trailer driven by Ernest Thomas Williams, 43, of Jacksonville was heading west when the Kia, for a reason still under investigation, crossed the center line and hit the truck head on, according to Trooper K. Hilliard of Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
As the semi and Kia left the roadway and into the southern tree line, the vehicles struck the front of a 1994 Cadillac that was trailing the Kia.
Ms. Chace was pronounced dead at the scene.
No one else, including the Cadillac's driver Fate J. Holey, 64, of Macclenny or its passenger, Lawrence D. Phillips, 41, of Jacksonville; were injured. Inside the semi was also passenger Gary Maurice Hannans, 43, of Jacksonville.
Damage to the semi was estimated at $20,000, to the Cadillac $6000 and the Kia $4000.
The wreck and cleanup — a small amount of diesel fuel was spilled from the semi — closed a stretch of U.S. 90 until about 3 pm.
Charges are pending further investigation by FHP, which will include whether alcohol contributed to the accident. Everyone involved was wearing their seat belts.
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