Body of Missing Woman Recovered After Mathews Bridge Incident

Authorities have recovered the body of a 27-year-old woman, Jareesha Wilkerson, following a vehicular incident on Mathews Bridge.

Jareesha Wilkerson was reported missing on December 8 after a chain of events led to a multi-vehicle crash on the Mathews Bridge. Her car became disabled on the bridge, and subsequent collisions involved a pickup truck and an SUV, with an additional three-car crash occurring in another lane.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded swiftly, locating Wilkerson’s vehicle but not Wilkerson herself. Her mobile phone remained inside the abandoned car, prompting immediate concerns for her safety. Although multiple drivers were interviewed, none reported seeing anyone exiting the bridge on foot or going over the side, adding to the mystery of her disappearance.

Within eight minutes of the first emergency call, law enforcement and rescue personnel arrived at the scene. A search of the surrounding area ensued rapidly, with efforts extending into the St. Johns River via a rescue boat approximately 24 minutes after the initial alert.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deployed significant resources, including a dive team equipped with sonar technology, to locate Wilkerson. Over a two-hour period, ten officers and three sergeants assisted in coordinating the search and managing traffic disruptions caused by the incident. Despite exhaustive efforts, initial searches proved unsuccessful.

In a determined effort to trace Wilkerson, law enforcement reached out to relatives, explored multiple contact avenues, visited associated locations, and checked with local hospitals and detention facilities. Despite these comprehensive efforts, Wilkerson remained unaccounted for until the discovery of her body over three miles from the bridge by the marine unit.

The investigation into the sequence of events and the final hours leading to Wilkerson’s death continues, as the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office remains resolute in seeking answers. A spokesperson for the office affirmed their commitment to supporting Wilkerson’s family and friends during this challenging period.

While the discovery of Jareesha Wilkerson’s body provides some closure, the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and subsequent death remain under thorough investigation. Authorities continue to employ every available resource to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident.

Source: News4jax

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