MANATEE COUNTY – A fatal collision early Friday morning involving a semi-tractor trailer and a pickup truck claimed the life of a 48-year-old Daytona Beach man. The accident occurred in Palmetto Florida early Friday Morning intersection of US-41 and Piney Point Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the semi-truck driven by a 58-year-old man from Lake Wales was traveling eastbound on Piney Point Road and stopped at the intersection with US-41.
At the same time, a pickup truck driven by a 48-year-old man from Daytona Beach was heading southbound on US-41 approaching the intersection with Piney Point Road.
At 5:49 AM the truck proceeded to cross the southbound lanes of US-41, entering the path of the oncoming pickup truck that was traveling south in the right lane. The pickup truck collided with the left side of the semi-truck.
The driver of the pickup truck, who was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by first responders. The semi-truck driver, a 58-year-old man from Lake Wales, was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.
The Dangers of Driving Near Large Trucks
Collisions involving large commercial trucks, like semi-tractor trailers, are often devastating due to their size and weight. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to the 4,000-pound average weight of a passenger vehicle. This size disparity often results in severe consequences for smaller vehicles in accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- In 2021, 4,842 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in the U.S., representing a 33% increase from 2011.
- 68% of fatalities in truck-related crashes are occupants of passenger vehicles.
When driving near large trucks, remember to:
- Give them space. Trucks require more time and distance to stop, so avoid cutting them off.
- Stay visible. Avoid driving in a truck’s blind spots, particularly on the sides and behind the trailer.
- Be cautious at intersections. Large trucks need more room to maneuver and can obstruct views at crossings.
By exercising extra caution around heavy trucks, we can all help reduce the risk of tragic accidents like this one.
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