Branford man dies Saturday at dangerous intersection on 129

By John M. Ayers

A Branford man traveling east on CR 340 approaching a dangerous intersection at 10:51 a.m., Saturday, July 3 was killed when he failed to yield the right of way to an oncoming truck traveling north on US 129, approximately 3 miles north of Bell, reported Trooper Jesse Moore of the Florida Highway Patrol.
Quentin C. Hayes, 52, of Branford was driving a 1993 Buick when he drove into the intersection, which displays a flashing red caution light to traffic traveling on CR 340.
A 2008 Ford F-250 truck was traveling north on US 129 when the car drove into the intersection from the west.
Erica M. Lacher, 35, of Newberry was driving the truck when she veered to the right in an attempt to miss the car, but struck the automobile in the right front side.
Following the impact, the truck continued traveling right, in a northeasterly direction.
The driver of the car, who was by himself when the accident occurred, was redirected to travel also in a northeasterly direction where the car traveled onto the east shoulder of US 129 and came to a final stop facing east.
The truck traveled onto the east shoulder of the highway and continued east into a grass field east of the US 129 highway right of way.
Gilchrist County EMS was called to the scene.
Paramedics checked the driver’s condition and pronounced him deceased at the scene.
The driver of the truck and a passenger were not injured in the accident.
All of the people involved in this accident were reported to have been wearing safety belts at the time of the accident.
Charges are pending a complete investigation by Trooper J.R. Moore and Corporal J. Berger of the Florida Highway Patrol.