Chiefland Teen Killed in Collision With Improperly Parked Semi-Truck in Fanning Springs

A tragic crash in Fanning Springs claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl from Chiefland on Tuesday morning after her sedan collided with a tractor-trailer improperly parked in an active travel lane.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the crash happened around 9:03 a.m. on U.S. Highway 19 at NW 160th Street.

A 56-year-old Tampa man had parked his tractor-trailer facing northbound in the right outside travel lane, effectively blocking an active lane of traffic.

The teen, driving her sedan north on U.S. 19, was unable to slow down or stop in time to avoid the obstruction. Her car collided with the rear end of the semi.

She was rushed to a nearby hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.

Commercial trucks are among the largest and heaviest vehicles on the road, and when parked improperly, they create an extreme hazard for other drivers. Parking a semi in an active traffic lane is particularly dangerous because:

• Unexpected Obstacles: Drivers traveling at highway speeds do not expect a parked vehicle in the flow of traffic.
• Reduced Reaction Time: Even attentive drivers may not have enough time to brake or swerve safely.
• Severe Crash Outcomes: Rear-end collisions with tractor-trailers often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities, especially for occupants of smaller passenger vehicles.

Federal regulations, including FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) rules, require truck drivers to use designated rest areas, shoulders, or other safe zones—not active travel lanes—when stopping.

Legal Questions of Liability

This devastating crash raises serious questions about liability and whether the trucking company and driver can be held accountable. Potential claims may include:

• Negligence of the Truck Driver: Parking in an active lane of travel is inherently unsafe and may constitute negligence.
• Trucking Company Liability: If the driver was operating within the scope of his employment, the trucking company can be held liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
• Regulatory Violations: If the driver violated federal or state trucking safety regulations, that could strengthen a civil claim.
• Wrongful Death Claims: Under Florida Statutes § 768.21, the family of the victim may pursue compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and other damages.

Families facing this kind of sudden loss not only endure immense grief but also financial uncertainty. Wrongful death claims allow families to seek justice and hold negligent parties accountable. These cases often require:

• Crash reconstruction experts to show how the truck’s improper parking caused the collision.
• Review of driver logs and company records to determine if fatigue, training issues, or policy violations contributed.
• Preservation of evidence such as dashcam footage, traffic camera video, or witness testimony.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families across Florida who have lost loved ones in preventable trucking accidents. We fight to uncover the truth, hold negligent companies accountable, and secure the maximum compensation available under Florida law.

If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, call us today at 305-638-4143 for a free, confidential consultation. We charge no fees unless we win compensation for your family.