The Jacksonville police officer who shot a semi-truck driver on Interstate 95 will not face criminal charges, Action News Jax has learned.
The shooting happened on Interstate 95 near Emerson Street on March 10 at about 4 p.m.
Lt. Mark Crawford was off-duty and sitting in his patrol car.
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Lt. Crawford claimed he was trying to merge in front of the truck when it struck his car, according to a report released Tuesday by the State Attorney’s Office.
He said he turned on his emergency lights and tried to stop, but the truck hit his car again, pushing him onto the interstate.
Lt. Crawford believes the driver hit him on purpose. He claimed he fired because he feared for his life. “MC feared he would fall into the path of the truck or be caught between the truck and other vehicles, so he shot the driver,” the report states.
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The driver, James Debardeleben, has been detained. He told detectives he didn’t realize he hit Lt. Crawford’s car. He reportedly said he didn’t know anything was wrong until he heard gunshots and felt a hit to his stomach. Two rounds were fired into the cab of the truck. One shot struck Debadeleben but did not penetrate his body.
Reconstructions of the incident indicate that Debardleben likely did not see Lieutenant Crawford’s vehicle.
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The State Attorney’s Office said six witnesses were interviewed. The report states, “Given unresolved factual issues, evidentiary gaps, and conflicting testimony, the State does not have a reasonable probability of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that MC’s use of deadly force was unjustified. Therefore, the State cannot pursue criminal charges in this matter.”
Action News Jax made multiple attempts to contact the truck driver. We were unable to contact him.
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