Young Jacksonville Firefighter Identified as One of the Victims in Fatal Crash

Tragic ATV Accident Claims the Lives of Two Promising Young Men

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A devastating accident involving an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and a pick-up truck has resulted in the untimely deaths of two individuals, including a promising young firefighter. The incident occurred at the intersection of County Road 309 and Browns Fish Camp Road in Crescent City, Putnam County, over the weekend.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the ATV, carrying two men, collided with a pick-up truck, leading to the fatal outcome. One of the victims has been identified as 20-year-old Tanner Gillespie, who had recently embarked on his journey as a firefighter in Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department expressed their profound grief in an email statement to First Coast News, stating, “The JFRD family is mourning the loss of one of our own. This past weekend, Firefighter Tanner Gillespie was tragically killed in an off-duty accident. Tanner recently became a JFRD firefighter and had a bright future ahead of him. In his short tenure, Tanner had already earned a reputation as a skilled firefighter and a supportive teammate. Following in the footsteps of his father, retired JFRD Lieutenant Gene Gillespie, Tanner was assigned to Engine 30 in the Regency area of town. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tanner’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”

The second fatality was a 21-year-old who had recently completed firefighter training but had not yet joined a fire department, according to sources.

An official report from the Florida Highway Patrol revealed that the ATV, travelling behind the pick-up truck, was headed south on CR 309. As the truck began to slow down to make a turn onto Brown’s Fish Camp Road, the ATV failed to decelerate in time and collided with the truck. Both the ATV driver and Gillespie, who was a passenger on the ATV, suffered fatal injuries in the crash.

The occupants of the pick-up truck escaped physical harm, as confirmed by the FHP report.

Authorities at the Putnam County Sheriff’s office have noted a concerning rise in the number of golf carts and ATVs being driven on paved roads, which is illegal unless the vehicle is in a designated golf cart community like Welaka. However, the location of Saturday’s tragic incident was several miles south of Welaka.

Tanner Gillespie and the ATV driver were highly regarded by those who knew them, and their untimely deaths have left a void in the community.