A 44-year-old woman was killed in a crash Monday morning in Flagler County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.Troopers say the crash happened around 11 a.m. on State Road 100 at Bertha Road. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the crash happened.FHP reports that a truck was traveling eastbound on State Road 100, approaching Bertha Road, when a sedan ran into the back of the truck as it approached from behind.The sedan was driven by the 44-year-old woman from Bunnell, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, FHP says. She was killed in the crash, according to state troopers.The truck was driven by a 48-year-old man from Bunnell, who was also not wearing a seat belt, but walked away with minor injuries.Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. —
A 44-year-old woman was killed in a crash Monday morning in Flagler County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the crash happened around 11 a.m. on State Road 100 at Bertha Road. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the crash happened.
FHP reports that a truck was traveling eastbound on State Road 100, approaching Bertha Road, when a sedan ran into the back of the truck as it approached from behind.
The sedan was driven by the 44-year-old woman from Bunnell, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, FHP says. She was killed in the crash, according to state troopers.
The truck was driven by a 48-year-old man from Bunnell, who was also not wearing a seat belt, but walked away with minor injuries.
MARION COUNTY LIVE TONIGHT IN DUNNELLON TONY ATKINS WESH TWO NEWS. ALL RIGHT. STAY SAFE OUT THERE, TONY. MEANWHILE, YOU’RE ABOUT TO TAKE A LIVE LOOK AT A PICTURE FROM AN FDOT CAM ON I-95 IN BREVARD COUNTY NEAR GRANT. NOW, WITHIN THE PAST HOUR, TROOPERS REOPENED TRAFFIC GOING NORTH AFTER SHUTTING DOWN BOTH DIRECTIONS FOR HOURS DUE TO SMOKE OUT THERE. THIS IS A LOOK AT WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE EARLIER TODAY. WE DO KNOW THAT FIREFIGHTERS, BOTH IN THE AIR AND ON THE GROUND, BATTL
Wildfire causes hours-long shutdown of I-95 in Brevard County
Interstate 95 was shut down in both directions in Brevard County on Sunday afternoon due to a wildfire, causing low visibility, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.Roads were closed between mile marker 166 and mile marker 173, about 7 miles between the area of St. Johns Heritage Parkway and Malabar Road.The road has since reopened, troopers said. FHP is advising drivers to continue to avoid the area until further notice. According to the Florida Forest Service, the brush fire over I-95 in Brevard County, called the Terkam Road fire, grew to 130 acres and is now 100% contained.
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. —
Interstate 95 was shut down in both directions in Brevard County on Sunday afternoon due to a wildfire, causing low visibility, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Roads were closed between mile marker 166 and mile marker 173, about 7 miles between the area of St. Johns Heritage Parkway and Malabar Road.
The road has since reopened, troopers said.
FHP is advising drivers to continue to avoid the area until further notice.
According to the Florida Forest Service, the brush fire over I-95 in Brevard County, called the Terkam Road fire, grew to 130 acres and is now 100% contained.
A major crash has shut down all of the eastbound lanes on I-4 at Lake Mary Boulevard.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened just after 7 a.m. at the Lake Mary Boulevard exit.Drivers traveling along I-4 eastbound should exit at SR-434 and use US-17/92 as a detour.FHP says people were injured in the crash.I-4 westbound is not impacted.This is a developing story.
LAKE MARY, Fla. —
A major crash has shut down all of the eastbound lanes on I-4 at Lake Mary Boulevard.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened just after 7 a.m. at the Lake Mary Boulevard exit.
Drivers traveling along I-4 eastbound should exit at SR-434 and use US-17/92 as a detour.
Florida Highway Patrol arrested a Lake County man on charges of DUI manslaughter after two people were killed in a crash Friday night.Seenarine Hardeo, 50, of Groveland, is facing two counts of DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony, after a crash that happened around 7 p.m. on State Road 33 in Lake County.Troopers said a 2009 Mini Cooper driven by Hardeo northbound on SR-33 traveled into the southbound lane and collided with a semi-truck north of Swamp Drive. The impact caused the semi-truck to veer into the northbound lanes and into the path of a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The front of the semi-truck collided with the front left of the Chevy pickup, causing both vehicles to run off the roadway and the semi-truck to overturn.The semi-truck’s driver was transported to South Lake Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.FHP said the Chevy’s driver, a 22-year-old Frostproof man, and his passenger, an 18-year-old Tallahassee woman, were pronounced dead at the scene.Lake County court records show that Hardeo pleaded no contest to charges of felony DUI and driving with a suspended license in 2007. Documents in that case link several other DUI incidents that occurred in New York in the early 2000s that led to Hardeo’s license being revoked. Hardeo was not injured in the crash. He was booked into the Lake County Jail Friday night, where he is being held without bond.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —
Florida Highway Patrol arrested a Lake County man on charges of DUI manslaughter after two people were killed in a crash Friday night.
Seenarine Hardeo, 50, of Groveland, is facing two counts of DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony, after a crash that happened around 7 p.m. on State Road 33 in Lake County.
Troopers said a 2009 Mini Cooper driven by Hardeo northbound on SR-33 traveled into the southbound lane and collided with a semi-truck north of Swamp Drive. The impact caused the semi-truck to veer into the northbound lanes and into the path of a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The front of the semi-truck collided with the front left of the Chevy pickup, causing both vehicles to run off the roadway and the semi-truck to overturn.
The semi-truck’s driver was transported to South Lake Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
FHP said the Chevy’s driver, a 22-year-old Frostproof man, and his passenger, an 18-year-old Tallahassee woman, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Lake County court records show that Hardeo pleaded no contest to charges of felony DUI and driving with a suspended license in 2007. Documents in that case link several other DUI incidents that occurred in New York in the early 2000s that led to Hardeo’s license being revoked.
Hardeo was not injured in the crash. He was booked into the Lake County Jail Friday night, where he is being held without bond.
A 6-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital and may never walk again after the car he was riding in was hit in Lake County in a crash that killed two teenagers.The boy, identified by his family as Nickai Mixon, was a passenger in an SUV that was involved in the crash.State troopers say the crash happened around 6 p.m. on November 15 along State Road 33 near Groveland Farms Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 16-year-old girl driving a 2008 Toyota Scion attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone while heading southbound. A 17-year-old Clermont boy was riding as her passenger.Troopers say the teen entered the northbound lane and saw an oncoming 2021 Lincoln Aviator driven by a 75-year-old Lakeland man. She swerved back into her lane, but lost control of the Scion, causing it to rotate and slide back into the northbound lane, directly into the path of the SUV, FHP says.The SUV then hit the passenger side of the Scion, causing it to overturn. The 16-year-old driver and her passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were later identified as South Lake High School students Jade, 16, and her boyfriend, 17-year-old José Ivan. Lake County Schools confirmed their deaths and said grief counselors would remain available on campus throughout the week.The 75-year-old SUV driver in the Aviator suffered minor injuries, along with two of his passengers, including a 66-year-old woman and a 5-year-old boy. 6-year-old Nickai Mixon was the fourth passenger in the SUV and was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.According to a GoFundMe created by the boy’s family, the crash left 6-year-old Nickai with a partially shattered spine and internal bleeding that required emergency surgery. Doctors at Arnold Palmer Hospital told relatives he has only a 50% chance of walking again.His parents, who live in Lakeland, are now driving back and forth daily to Orlando while juggling medical uncertainty, travel costs, and lost income.“Any contribution, no matter the amount, will help with travel costs, medical-related expenses, lost income, and the long recovery journey ahead,” the family wrote on the fundraiser page. They added:Anyone who wants to donate to their GoFundMe can click here.FHP says the crash remains under investigation.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —
A 6-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital and may never walk again after the car he was riding in was hit in Lake County in a crash that killed two teenagers.
The boy, identified by his family as Nickai Mixon, was a passenger in an SUV that was involved in the crash.
State troopers say the crash happened around 6 p.m. on November 15 along State Road 33 near Groveland Farms Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 16-year-old girl driving a 2008 Toyota Scion attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone while heading southbound.
A 17-year-old Clermont boy was riding as her passenger.
Troopers say the teen entered the northbound lane and saw an oncoming 2021 Lincoln Aviator driven by a 75-year-old Lakeland man. She swerved back into her lane, but lost control of the Scion, causing it to rotate and slide back into the northbound lane, directly into the path of the SUV, FHP says.
The SUV then hit the passenger side of the Scion, causing it to overturn. The 16-year-old driver and her passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were later identified as South Lake High School students Jade, 16, and her boyfriend, 17-year-old José Ivan.
Lake County Schools confirmed their deaths and said grief counselors would remain available on campus throughout the week.
The 75-year-old SUV driver in the Aviator suffered minor injuries, along with two of his passengers, including a 66-year-old woman and a 5-year-old boy.
6-year-old Nickai Mixon was the fourth passenger in the SUV and was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
According to a GoFundMe created by the boy’s family, the crash left 6-year-old Nickai with a partially shattered spine and internal bleeding that required emergency surgery. Doctors at Arnold Palmer Hospital told relatives he has only a 50% chance of walking again.
His parents, who live in Lakeland, are now driving back and forth daily to Orlando while juggling medical uncertainty, travel costs, and lost income.
“Any contribution, no matter the amount, will help with travel costs, medical-related expenses, lost income, and the long recovery journey ahead,” the family wrote on the fundraiser page. They added:
“Our family deeply appreciates every donation, share, and prayer.”
Anyone who wants to donate to their GoFundMe can click here.
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed 2 teenagers on State Road 33 west of Groveland.FHP said the crash happened around 6 p.m. Saturday on SR-33 near Groveland Farms Road.Troopers say a 16-year-old girl was driving a Toyota Scion southbound and attempted to pass a vehicle in a no passing zone. She had a 17-year-old Clermont boy riding as her passenger.After the teen entered the northbound lane, she saw an oncoming SUV and swerved back into the southbound lane.FHP says the 16-year-old then lost control of her Toyota which rotated and reentered the northbound lane in the direct path of the SUV, causing the SUV to crash into the right side of car which then overturned.The Toyota’s driver and her passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.The 75-year-old driver of the SUV and his 3 passengers were all taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.FHP says the crash remains under investigation.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed 2 teenagers on State Road 33 west of Groveland.
FHP said the crash happened around 6 p.m. Saturday on SR-33 near Groveland Farms Road.
Troopers say a 16-year-old girl was driving a Toyota Scion southbound and attempted to pass a vehicle in a no passing zone. She had a 17-year-old Clermont boy riding as her passenger.
After the teen entered the northbound lane, she saw an oncoming SUV and swerved back into the southbound lane.
FHP says the 16-year-old then lost control of her Toyota which rotated and reentered the northbound lane in the direct path of the SUV, causing the SUV to crash into the right side of car which then overturned.
The Toyota’s driver and her passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.
The 75-year-old driver of the SUV and his 3 passengers were all taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a driver was killed in an early Saturday morning crash on I-4 in Orange County.According to FHP, a 2013 Hyundai Elantra was traveling eastbound on I-4 approaching World Center Drive when the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the roadway to the left onto the median just after 3 a.m. The car struck a guardrail before reentering the roadway in the direct path of a 2015 Kia Sedona. As a result, the Kia struck the Hyundai.The Hyundai’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene.The Kia’s driver was transported to Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital with minor injuries.Troopers are still investigating what led up to the crash.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a driver was killed in an early Saturday morning crash on I-4 in Orange County.
According to FHP, a 2013 Hyundai Elantra was traveling eastbound on I-4 approaching World Center Drive when the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the roadway to the left onto the median just after 3 a.m. The car struck a guardrail before reentering the roadway in the direct path of a 2015 Kia Sedona. As a result, the Kia struck the Hyundai.
The Hyundai’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Kia’s driver was transported to Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital with minor injuries.
Troopers are still investigating what led up to the crash.
The Leon County Humane Society said Trooper showed signs of stress, but has “smiled” a few times since being in their care. Credit: via Leon County Humane Society via Facebook/WUFT News
A Florida prosecutor has dropped the felony criminal case against the man who drew national attention after being accused of tying his bull terrier dog to a fence along Interstate 75 and abandoning it in the face of an approaching major hurricane. The dog’s new owner is furious.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 24, of Ruskin, Florida, was facing a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office, led by Susan Lopez, suddenly dropped the case this week.
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis had called the dog’s treatment “unacceptable,” and warned the person accused of abandoning the dog, “We’re going to hold you accountable.”
Lopez, the elected state prosecutor whose office was handling the case, had said she couldn’t imagine anyone tying a pet to a fence amid a natural disaster. Ahead of a criminal trial in the case, expected to begin late this year or early in 2026, prosecutors filed paperwork on Wednesday abandoning the case.
The dog — now known as Trooper after the Florida Highway Patrol officer who rescued him — was adopted by Frank and Carla Spina of Parkland, Florida. In a new interview Thursday night, Frank Spina said Lopez personally called to tell him the state was dropping the case — an act he said was “chickening out.”
He said that during the call, Lopez said prosecutors had little to no evidence that Aldama Garcia had tied the dog to a pole and cited a language barrier between him and investigators.
Court records showed that during questioning, Aldama Garcia acknowledged dumping the dog on the side of the interstate during the evacuation ahead of Hurricane Milton and said he had been trying unsuccessfully to get rid of the dog for weeks.
“The defendant stated he observed the dog in standing water in heavy rain during a hurricane evacuation and left him behind,” the trooper wrote in his arrest report.
Spina said he was flabbergasted: “Well, did he tie himself? Did Trooper tie himself? Put it in front of a jury and ask ‘Do you believe Trooper the dog tied himself to a pole?’”
Spina said just two months ago, the state attorney’s office called this its most important case. Now, he believes Lopez was afraid she would lose if the case went to trial.
“It’s politics. It’s being afraid to lose the big case on TV,” he said in a phone interview with Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
The prosecutor did not immediately return a phone message to her office late Thursday.
Last week, Aldama Garcia’s defense attorney, Tony Lopez of Tampa, said in an interview that a plea deal was out of the question, unless the state would seek a lesser criminal charge. If it didn’t, he said, he planned to take the matter to trial.
“It’s based on lies,” Tony Lopez said in the interview. “He had to quit his college, he was kicked out of his job, he had to change numbers. All because someone misquoted what happened.”
He said the state can’t prove that Aldama Garcia abused or intentionally harmed his dog.
Lopez, the defense lawyer, didn’t immediately respond to a phone message late Thursday.
Spina said Florida lawmakers were outraged enough over the suspected abuse to demand a change in law.
Those efforts resulted in Trooper’s Law, which makes it illegal to abandon a dog that is restrained during a natural disaster. It also imposed a fine up to $10,000 and a prison term up to five years — what Aldama Garcia was previously facing, if convicted.
“We all got this law passed, and for what?” Spina said. “Just for the prosecutor’s office to throw in the towel and say, ‘Oh, well, he had a language barrier, and we can’t prove that he tied him to a fence.’”
“I’m really disgusted.”
___
This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. The reporter can be reached at kairilowery@ufl.edu. You can donate to support our students here.
A 71-year-old man is dead, and another man was injured after a head-on crash in Astor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.FHP said the crash happened just after 8:30 on Wednesday night.Investigators said a 2002 Cadillac Escalade, driven by a 71-year-old man, was traveling westbound on SR-40 when it crossed over the centerline into the eastbound lane and started driving the wrong way. They said the Escalade then entered the direct path of an oncoming 2025 Freightliner semi-tractor-trailer.As a result, the two vehicles crashed head-on. The Freightliner, which was traveling eastbound, was being driven by a 49-year-old man with a 25-year-old male passenger onboard.The 71-year-old man driving the Escalade was pronounced dead at the scene.FHP said the semi-truck driver was not injured. The 25-year-old passenger in the semi-truck was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Drivers can use CR-445 as a detour.
ASTOR, Fla. —
A 71-year-old man is dead, and another man was injured after a head-on crash in Astor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP said the crash happened just after 8:30 on Wednesday night.
Investigators said a 2002 Cadillac Escalade, driven by a 71-year-old man, was traveling westbound on SR-40 when it crossed over the centerline into the eastbound lane and started driving the wrong way.
They said the Escalade then entered the direct path of an oncoming 2025 Freightliner semi-tractor-trailer.
As a result, the two vehicles crashed head-on.
The Freightliner, which was traveling eastbound, was being driven by a 49-year-old man with a 25-year-old male passenger onboard.
The 71-year-old man driving the Escalade was pronounced dead at the scene.
FHP said the semi-truck driver was not injured. The 25-year-old passenger in the semi-truck was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Three people are dead and one is seriously hurt after a hit-and-run crash in Volusia County. Florida Highway Patrol says it happened just before 10 p.m. Saturday in DeBary.Troopers say a Dodge Durango, Ford Focus, motorcycle and Honda Pilot were all involved. The driver of the Durango changed lanes and hit the Focus, which caused a chain reaction. The driver of the Durango then drove off, FHP says. The motorcycle rider, driver and passenger of the Pilot were all killed, FHP said. The Durango was located unattended in a parking lot and was taken for evidence, FHP said. Troopers are still looking for the driver of the Durango. >> This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released. CrimelineCrimeline’s mission is to increase the safety of the Central Florida community by assisting law enforcement agencies in removing undesirable individuals from the community, according to its mission statement>> Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)>> Leave a tip onlineTips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000. All tips eligible for a reward are paid to tipsters using an anonymous processCentral Florida Crimeline began in July of 1977, originally named Crimewatch, modeled after the first Crime Stoppers program founded in Albuquerque New Mexico. Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)
DEBARY, Fla. —
Three people are dead and one is seriously hurt after a hit-and-run crash in Volusia County.
Florida Highway Patrol says it happened just before 10 p.m. Saturday in DeBary.
Troopers say a Dodge Durango, Ford Focus, motorcycle and Honda Pilot were all involved.
The driver of the Durango changed lanes and hit the Focus, which caused a chain reaction.
The driver of the Durango then drove off, FHP says.
The motorcycle rider, driver and passenger of the Pilot were all killed, FHP said.
The Durango was located unattended in a parking lot and was taken for evidence, FHP said.
Troopers are still looking for the driver of the Durango.
>> This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.
Crimeline
Crimeline’s mission is to increase the safety of the Central Florida community by assisting law enforcement agencies in removing undesirable individuals from the community, according to its mission statement
Tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000. All tips eligible for a reward are paid to tipsters using an anonymous process
Central Florida Crimeline began in July of 1977, originally named Crimewatch, modeled after the first Crime Stoppers program founded in Albuquerque New Mexico.
One eastbound lane of Interstate 4 has reopened after the highway was shut down near mile marker 72 on Monday afternoon after multiple crashes with injuries, Florida Highway Patrol said. Five people were transported to area hospitals, FHP said. One of the vehicles involved is a semi that overturned. Eastbound traffic had been detoured onto International Drive before getting back on I-4 eastbound from Sand Lake Road.Traffic is still moving very slowly in the area as the other lanes of eastbound I-4 where the crash occurred are still shut down as of 6 p.m.>> This is a developing story and will be updated
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
One eastbound lane of Interstate 4 has reopened after the highway was shut down near mile marker 72 on Monday afternoon after multiple crashes with injuries, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Five people were transported to area hospitals, FHP said.
One of the vehicles involved is a semi that overturned.
Eastbound traffic had been detoured onto International Drive before getting back on I-4 eastbound from Sand Lake Road.
Traffic is still moving very slowly in the area as the other lanes of eastbound I-4 where the crash occurred are still shut down as of 6 p.m.
US-27 in Clermont was shut down for hours following a fatal crash early Sunday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol.The crash happened just before 2 a.m. on US-27 north of Frank Jarrell Road. Witnesses told FHP that a 2019 Audi Q5 was traveling southbound at high speed in the northbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a 2021 Toyota Camry.The Audi’s driver, a 22-year-old Windermere man, was transported as a trauma alert to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. The 28-year-old Orlando man driving the Toyota was pronounced dead at the crash scene.FHP is continuing to investigate the crash, and the roadway has reopened to traffic.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —
US-27 in Clermont was shut down for hours following a fatal crash early Sunday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened just before 2 a.m. on US-27 north of Frank Jarrell Road. Witnesses told FHP that a 2019 Audi Q5 was traveling southbound at high speed in the northbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a 2021 Toyota Camry.
The Audi’s driver, a 22-year-old Windermere man, was transported as a trauma alert to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. The 28-year-old Orlando man driving the Toyota was pronounced dead at the crash scene.
FHP is continuing to investigate the crash, and the roadway has reopened to traffic.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a five-vehicle crash Saturday night on the Florida Turnpike that involved an FHP patrol car and sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries.The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike, south of State Road 417 in Orlando, Orange County, FHP said. According to preliminary crash details, a semitrailer with a trailer was traveling northbound in the center inside lane when it attempted to change lanes, sideswiping a 2005 Toyota Camry.A 2004 Dodge pickup traveling behind the semi-truck and Camry swerved to the left, striking the left side of the Camry.The pickup then rotated and collided with the left front of the semitrailer, began overturning across the northbound lanes, and collided with the top of a Florida Highway Patrol marked patrol car parked on the outside shoulder, according to FHP. The accident report said the pickup continued overturning, collided with a concrete barrier, and went down an embankment.The initial impact with the pickup caused the patrol car to be pushed into the travel lanes, where it collided with a 2024 Buick Enclave.FHP said the trooper was standing outside his patrol car when the crashes occurred.He darted away, briefly fell, and was later transported to the hospital with minor injuries.The driver of the pickup was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The drivers of the semitrailer, Camry, and Buick were not injured and remained on the scene.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a five-vehicle crash Saturday night on the Florida Turnpike that involved an FHP patrol car and sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries.
The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike, south of State Road 417 in Orlando, Orange County, FHP said.
According to preliminary crash details, a semitrailer with a trailer was traveling northbound in the center inside lane when it attempted to change lanes, sideswiping a 2005 Toyota Camry.
A 2004 Dodge pickup traveling behind the semi-truck and Camry swerved to the left, striking the left side of the Camry.
The pickup then rotated and collided with the left front of the semitrailer, began overturning across the northbound lanes, and collided with the top of a Florida Highway Patrol marked patrol car parked on the outside shoulder, according to FHP.
The accident report said the pickup continued overturning, collided with a concrete barrier, and went down an embankment.
The initial impact with the pickup caused the patrol car to be pushed into the travel lanes, where it collided with a 2024 Buick Enclave.
FHP said the trooper was standing outside his patrol car when the crashes occurred.
He darted away, briefly fell, and was later transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the pickup was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The drivers of the semitrailer, Camry, and Buick were not injured and remained on the scene.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper in Tampa had to intercept a wrong-way driver on Interstate 275 with his own vehicle early Sunday morning.According to her arrest report, Margot McDaniels was driving a Kia Sportage northbound in the southbound lanes of I-275 around 3:50 a.m. Sunday, when an FHP trooper observed her driving toward him. The trooper attempted to hit the Kia on the rear driver’s side, but the vehicle did not stop after the collision.The trooper then activated his patrol vehicle’s lights and sirens and attempted a PIT maneuver (precision immobilization technique) on the Kia as it continued driving in the wrong direction. The arrest report alleges that McDaniels then attempted to reverse her car following the PIT maneuver and continue driving but the trooper was able to block the Kia with his patrol car.The trooper said he ordered McDaniels out of the vehicle and observed her to have slow, slurred speech and that her breath smelled of alcohol. McDaniels told the trooper that she was a bartender and had been charged with a DUI a few weeks before Sunday’s arrest.McDaniels is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance, fleeing to elude, DUI with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and driving with a suspended license.
TAMPA, Fla. —
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper in Tampa had to intercept a wrong-way driver on Interstate 275 with his own vehicle early Sunday morning.
According to her arrest report, Margot McDaniels was driving a Kia Sportage northbound in the southbound lanes of I-275 around 3:50 a.m. Sunday, when an FHP trooper observed her driving toward him. The trooper attempted to hit the Kia on the rear driver’s side, but the vehicle did not stop after the collision.
The trooper then activated his patrol vehicle’s lights and sirens and attempted a PIT maneuver (precision immobilization technique) on the Kia as it continued driving in the wrong direction. The arrest report alleges that McDaniels then attempted to reverse her car following the PIT maneuver and continue driving but the trooper was able to block the Kia with his patrol car.
The trooper said he ordered McDaniels out of the vehicle and observed her to have slow, slurred speech and that her breath smelled of alcohol. McDaniels told the trooper that she was a bartender and had been charged with a DUI a few weeks before Sunday’s arrest.
McDaniels is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance, fleeing to elude, DUI with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and driving with a suspended license.
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a woman was killed in a crash on State Road 520 Monday morning.According to FHP, the crash occurred around 6:15 a.m. in the northbound lanes of SR-520 just south of State Road 528 near Christmas in Orange County. Troopers said the crash involved a Mack tractor-trailer and a 2014 Honda Civic.The 57-year-old Melbourne woman driving the Civic was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased.The roadway has since reopened to traffic.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a woman was killed in a crash on State Road 520 Monday morning.
According to FHP, the crash occurred around 6:15 a.m. in the northbound lanes of SR-520 just south of State Road 528 near Christmas in Orange County. Troopers said the crash involved a Mack tractor-trailer and a 2014 Honda Civic.
The 57-year-old Melbourne woman driving the Civic was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased.
MINUTES. ALL RIGHT, KIM, THANK YOU. IN OCALA, TWO PEOPLE GOT HURT AFTER A PICKUP TRUCK CRASHED INTO A SCHOOL BUS THAT THEN CRASHED INTO A HOME. TAKE A LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AT THAT HOUSE ON 31ST AVENUE ROAD IN MARION OAKS STATE TROOPERS SAY A PICKUP TRUCK RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO A SCHOOL BUS THAT SENT THE BUS INTO THE HOUSE. BOTH THE PICKUP DRIVER AND THE BUS DRIVER WERE HURT, BUT THEY’RE EXPECTED TO BE
Crash sends school bus into house in Marion County
Updated: 3:59 PM EDT Jun 26, 2024
A Marion County school bus crashed into a home Wednesday morning after officials say a pickup truck ran a stop sign. Florida Highway Patrol said the crash happened when the pickup truck driving southbound on SW 31st Avenue Road failed to stop at a stop sign at Marion Oaks Trail and hit the right side of the bus. The bus then collided with the home located on 31st Avenue Road, FHP said. Minor injuries were reported. No students were on the bus at the time of the crash, FHP said. An elderly couple was inside the home. Their son-in-law, Elvis Silberio, said they were home but did not get hurt. “They both in panic,” Silberio said. “Thank God nothing serious happened. I mean damage that can be fixed.”Silberio said a third resident in the home usually sleeps in the bedroom that crumbled after the bus crashed into it. says this could’ve had a very tragic ending because someone usually sleeps in that bedroom that is now crumbled into pieces. (HENDERSON0398 – ANNMARIE DELFINO, NEIGHBOR 00:35 – 00:40) “Praise God he was at work. Praise God, there were no children on that bus.”Marion County School District says the bus was heading to Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks to pick up students in summer school.The driver of the pickup truck was cited with a stop sign violation. No one was seriously hurt, but the school bus driver and an aide were checked at a hospital.(HENDERSON0398 – ANNMARIE DELFINO, NEIGHBOR 00:14 – 00:17) “I started to cry. You become – your neighbors become your family… (1:47 – 1:52) There’s so much speeding that goes on here. I mean it’s terrible. So much that I don’t even go out this way anymore.”In Marion County, Senait Gebregiorgis, WESH 2 News.}
MARION COUNTY, Fla. —
A crash at an intersection sent a school bus into a house in Marion County on Wednesday morning, Florida Highway Patrol said.
It happened when a vehicle driving southbound on SW 31st Avenue Road failed to stop at a stop sign at Marion Oaks Trail and hit the right side of the bus.
The bus then collided with the home located on 31st Avenue Road, FHP said.
Minor injuries were reported. No students were on the bus at the time of the crash, FHP said.
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a Friday night crash on LPGA Boulevard in Volusia County that killed a motorcyclist.According to FHP, the crash happened around 5:41 p.m. Friday on LPGA Blvd near Derbyshire Rd. Troopers said a Yamaha motorcycle heading east on LPGA approaching Derbyshire was struck by a Ford Escape turning left to head southbound onto Derbyshire from the westbound lanes of LPGA. The front of the Yamaha motorcycle and the front of the Ford Escape collided, throwing the motorcycle’s rider from the vehicle.Troopers said the motorcyclist, a 34-year-old Ormond Beach man, was pronounced dead at the scene.Witnesses told FHP troopers that the Yamaha appeared to be traveling over the posted speed limit at the time of the crash.The Ford’s driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to Halifax Daytona Hospital.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. —
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a Friday night crash on LPGA Boulevard in Volusia County that killed a motorcyclist.
According to FHP, the crash happened around 5:41 p.m. Friday on LPGA Blvd near Derbyshire Rd. Troopers said a Yamaha motorcycle heading east on LPGA approaching Derbyshire was struck by a Ford Escape turning left to head southbound onto Derbyshire from the westbound lanes of LPGA. The front of the Yamaha motorcycle and the front of the Ford Escape collided, throwing the motorcycle’s rider from the vehicle.
Troopers said the motorcyclist, a 34-year-old Ormond Beach man, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses told FHP troopers that the Yamaha appeared to be traveling over the posted speed limit at the time of the crash.
The Ford’s driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to Halifax Daytona Hospital.
