JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has released funeral plans for 20-year-old Tanner A. Gillespie, according to a Facebook post. Gillespie was killed in an ATV crash that happened at the intersection of County Road 309 and Browns Fish Camp Road in Crescent City of Putnam County last weekend on Nov. 18.
Gillespie had just started serving as a Jacksonville firefighter. A 21-year-old man whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was also killed in the crash, as a First Coast News source confirmed that he had just went through firefighter training as well, but had not joined a fire department.
The Florida Highway Patrol crash report states that Gillespie along with the other man, were on an ATV following behind a pickup truck, traveling south on CR 309. When the truck slowed down to turn onto Browns Fish Camp Road, the ATV did not have enough time to slow down and rear-ended the truck. FHP says the two men were pronounced dead at the scene while every occupant in the pickup truck, didn't suffer any injuries in the accident.
Funeral services for Gillespie were announced Saturday. The service is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Church of Eleven 22 in Jacksonville, the JFRD Facebook post states. The church is located at 14286 Beach Blvd., on the southwest corner of Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road South in the former Walmart building.
JFRD emailed First Coast News the following statement on Monday, Nov. 20:
"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 time on the department, Tanner quickly developed a reputation as a good firefighter and co-worker. Tanner was following in the footsteps of his father, retired JFRD Lieutenant Gene Gillespie and was assigned to Engine 30 in the Regency area of town. Please keep Tanner’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this trying time."
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office told First Coast News that they have seen an increase in golf carts and ATV’s traveling on paved roads. And that’s not legal unless the golf cart is in a golf cart community such as Welaka. But, last Saturday's incident was several miles south of Welaka.