Tragedy struck Jacksonville, Florida, with the death of a prominent figure from the Jacksonville Port Authority. James Bennett, who served as both the Chief Operating Officer at JAXPORT and as a Baker County Commissioner, passed away in a car accident on Monday.

Baker County Undersheriff Randy Crews confirmed to First Coast News that Bennett was the victim of a fatal crash on Interstate 10, just west of Highway 301.

The Florida Highway Patrol’s report detailed the incident, stating that the 58-year-old Bennett was slowing down on I-10 eastbound around 7:22 a.m. due to heavy traffic. A 16-year-old driver in a pickup truck failed to stop in time, colliding with Bennett’s vehicle from behind. The impact caused the truck to flip over while Bennett’s car veered off the road and struck a guardrail. The teenager involved in the crash reportedly sustained only minor injuries.

According to the FHP report, the 58-year-old was slowing to a stop on I-10 eastbound at around 7:22 a.m. due to congested traffic. The 16-year-old driving a pickup truck behind him, FHP said, was unable to stop in time, resulting in a rear-end collision. During the crash, the truck overturned and the car driven by Bennett went off the roadway, hitting a guardrail. The teenager reportedly came away with minor injuries.

JAXPORT provided the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of our colleague and friend, James Bennett. James dedicated his life to improving the quality of life for people in Northeast Florida, and our entire community is better for his service. He was a valued member of our leadership team, overseeing two of our largest departments—Operations and Engineering—and serving as a trusted liaison for many of our port partners.

James brought extraordinary dedication, skill, and heart to everything he did. His work ethic was unmatched, and his commitment to our mission elevated everyone around him. He loved his work and the people he worked alongside, and in turn, we were all made better by working with him.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, James was an exceptional human being whose spirit filled every room he entered. His loss will be felt deeply across our organization.

We ask the community to join us in praying for James’ family during this extremely difficult time. We are forever grateful for his leadership, his friendship, and his service to our port and to Northeast Florida.”

The Baker County Board of Commissioners says that Bennett’s impact was “immeasurable” and that he will “forever remain a part of our county’s history.”

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan

“On behalf of my administration and the City of Jacksonville, our heartfelt condolences go out to the Bennett and JAXPORT families during this heartbreaking time.  We are extremely thankful for James Bennett’s care, dedication, and service to not only Jacksonville, but also all of Northeast Florida.”

Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden

“For the past nine years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Commissioner James Bennett. He was not only a respected citizen and dedicated public servant, but a man whose faith guided every aspect of his life. His unwavering commitment to the people of Baker County was evident in everything he did, and he always put our community first.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss and are praying for his wife, his children, and his entire family during this difficult time. Commissioner Bennett’s legacy of service, integrity, and faith will forever be remembered in Baker County.”