25-Year-Old Woman Killed in Semi-Truck Collision While Crossing Jones Loop Road in Charlotte County

A tragic accident late Wednesday night in Charlotte County claimed the life of a 25-year-old woman from Arcadia, who was struck and killed by a semi-truck while attempting to cross Jones Loop Road near Knights Drive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The fatal collision occurred around 11:00 p.m. when troopers say a semi-truck was traveling eastbound in the left lane of Jones Loop Road, approaching a green traffic signal at the intersection with Knights Drive.

At the same time, the pedestrian was crossing the roadway east of the intersection and entered the path of the oncoming truck. The driver was unable to stop in time, and the vehicle struck the woman. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

The identity of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of her family. The crash remains under active investigation by FHP.

Accidents involving pedestrians and large trucks are often fatal due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, which makes stopping quickly nearly impossible, especially at intersections and high-traffic roadways.

Pedestrian crashes at night are particularly dangerous due to:

• Low visibility conditions that make it harder for drivers to see individuals crossing outside marked crosswalks.
• Traffic signals and vehicle speed giving drivers less time to react.
• Lighting gaps between intersections, where pedestrians may cross in areas not well lit.

While the investigation is still ongoing, several legal questions may arise regarding this tragic incident.

• Right of Way: If the woman was crossing outside a designated crosswalk or against traffic signals, liability could be limited. However, Florida law still requires drivers to exercise caution to avoid collisions with pedestrians whenever possible.
• Truck Driver’s Duty of Care: Commercial truck drivers must maintain heightened awareness when operating such large vehicles. Even if the pedestrian did not cross at a designated point, questions remain about whether the driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent.
• Roadway Design & Safety: Families may also explore whether roadway design, signage, or lighting contributed to unsafe conditions, particularly if the crossing area lacked adequate pedestrian infrastructure.

For the family of the victim, a wrongful death claim may still be possible depending on the outcome of the investigation. Under Florida law, survivors may pursue compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs, loss of companionship, and other damages resulting from the fatal crash.

The sudden and devastating loss of a loved one in a pedestrian crash leaves families struggling not only emotionally, but also financially. Legal action can never undo the tragedy, but it may provide the resources needed to cover expenses and hold negligent parties accountable.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families across Florida in pedestrian and trucking accident cases. Our team has the experience to investigate complex crashes involving commercial vehicles, roadway safety issues, and questions of liability.