23-Year-Old Plant City Man Killed in SR-60 Crash in Hillsborough County

A 23-year-old Plant City man died after his pickup truck crossed the median, traveled across opposing lanes and overturned into a tree line along State Road 60 in Hillsborough County Sunday afternoon.

The September 20, 2026 crash occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on SR-60 near Smith Ryals Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP reported that the man was driving a Chevrolet pickup truck eastbound when he lost control of the vehicle. The pickup crossed the median and westbound lanes before leaving the roadway and overturning into a nearby tree line.

The driver was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

What Happened in the SR-60 Crash?

According to FHP, the 23-year-old Plant City man was traveling eastbound on State Road 60 near Smith Ryals Road when he lost control of his Chevrolet pickup.

The truck crossed the median separating the eastbound and westbound portions of the highway.

It then traveled across the westbound lanes before leaving the roadway and entering a nearby tree line, where it overturned.

The driver survived the initial collision and was transported to a hospital for treatment. He later died from his injuries.

No other vehicles were reported to have been involved.

What Caused the Driver to Lose Control?

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

FHP has not reported what caused the driver to lose control of the pickup before it crossed the median.

Investigators may examine the truck’s speed and movements, roadway conditions, visibility and mechanical condition as they attempt to determine what happened.

There is currently no information establishing that speeding, distraction, impairment or a mechanical failure contributed to the crash.

How Could the Pickup Cross the Median and Opposing Lanes?

One important part of the investigation will likely involve reconstructing the pickup’s path after the driver lost control.

FHP reported that the truck was initially traveling eastbound before crossing the median and the westbound lanes and ultimately overturning in a tree line.

Investigators may examine physical evidence to determine where the pickup first departed its lane, whether the driver attempted to brake or steer, and how the vehicle traveled across the opposing side of SR-60.

Because no collision with another vehicle was reported, it will also be important to determine whether any external factor caused the driver to take evasive action.

Speed and Roadway Conditions May Be Examined

Florida Statute § 316.183 generally requires motorists to operate at a reasonable and prudent speed based on existing conditions.

Speed can affect a driver’s ability to regain control of a vehicle and can influence the severity of a rollover collision.

However, FHP has not reported that the Plant City man was speeding.

Investigators may also examine the condition of the roadway and median to determine whether either played a role in the vehicle’s path.

The fact that the pickup crossed the median does not, by itself, establish that there was a problem with the roadway.

Rollover Crashes Can Cause Severe Injuries

Rollover collisions can expose vehicle occupants to multiple impacts as a vehicle rotates and strikes the ground or surrounding objects.

In this case, FHP reported that the Chevrolet pickup overturned after crossing the westbound lanes and entering the tree line.

The available report does not describe how many times the truck overturned, whether the driver was ejected or whether he was wearing a seat belt.

Florida Statute § 316.614 generally requires front-seat occupants of passenger vehicles to use safety belts, subject to statutory exceptions.

Without additional information, no conclusions should be drawn about whether restraint use affected the outcome of this crash.

Evidence May Help Explain Why the Driver Lost Control

Although the crash involved only one vehicle, investigators may still examine numerous sources of evidence to determine what happened.

Potential evidence may include:

• Crash-scene photographs and measurements
• Tire marks and roadway evidence
• The pickup’s final resting position
• Vehicle damage
• Event data recorder information
• Roadway and median conditions
• Weather and visibility conditions
• Witness statements
• Mechanical inspection of the pickup
• 911 and emergency response records
• Cellphone records when legally obtainable

Electronic vehicle data may be particularly useful in determining the pickup’s speed, braking and other movements immediately before the driver lost control.

Can Someone Else Be Responsible for a Single-Vehicle Crash?

A single-vehicle collision does not necessarily establish that the driver was solely responsible.

Depending on the evidence, another vehicle could cause a driver to take evasive action without making physical contact. A defective vehicle component, negligent maintenance or a dangerous roadway condition could also potentially contribute to a loss-of-control crash.

There is currently no information indicating that another driver, a vehicle defect or a roadway condition contributed to this SR-60 collision.

Any potential claim against another party would require evidence connecting that party’s conduct or a specific dangerous condition to the crash.

Mechanical Problems May Be Considered

When the cause of a loss-of-control crash is unclear, an inspection of the vehicle can sometimes identify mechanical problems involving components such as the tires, steering or brakes.

If evidence establishes that a defective component contributed to a crash, potential liability could extend beyond the driver.

However, the severity of a crash or the fact that a vehicle overturned does not establish that it was defective.

No mechanical failure has been reported in connection with this collision.

Wrongful Death Claims Depend on the Cause of the Crash

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16 through 768.26, provides a framework for certain civil claims when a person’s death results from another party’s wrongful act, negligence or other legally actionable conduct.

Because this was reported as a single-vehicle crash, whether any wrongful death claim exists would depend heavily on what investigators determine caused the driver to lose control.

If evidence ultimately identifies another driver, a defective vehicle component or another legally responsible party as contributing to the collision, the circumstances could warrant further evaluation.

Based on the information currently available, FHP has not identified another party as contributing to the crash.

FHP Continues to Inve