44-Year-Old Vero Beach Man Killed in Early Morning Crash on Oslo Road

A tragic crash in Indian River County claimed the life of a 44-year-old Vero Beach man early Tuesday morning. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the fatal collision occurred around 5:18 a.m. on October 14 along Oslo Road, just west of 19th Avenue Southwest.

Troopers say a 2017 Peterbilt truck, driven by a 47-year-old Vero Beach man, was traveling east in the inside lane of Oslo Road when the front left side of the truck struck the victim. Investigators reported that the 44-year-old man, who appeared to have a bicycle, was stationary in the eastbound inside travel lane, facing oncoming traffic at the time of the impact.

The collision caused the victim to be thrown into the westbound lane, where he came to rest. The driver of the Peterbilt stopped immediately after the crash and cooperated with authorities.

Officials have not released the victim’s name as family members are being notified. The crash remains under investigation by FHP.

Understanding Liability in Fatal Truck Accidents in Florida

Accidents involving commercial trucks often result in devastating consequences due to their massive size and limited maneuverability. In cases like this one, it is critical to determine how and why the crash occurred — and whether negligence or avoidable factors contributed to the loss of life.

Under Florida law, liability in a fatal truck crash depends on whether the driver or trucking company failed to operate safely. Potential factors that investigators and attorneys may examine include:

• Driver negligence – fatigue, distraction, or speeding
• Visibility issues – inadequate lighting or failure to use high beams properly
• Road conditions – poor maintenance or lack of reflective signage
• Vehicle safety compliance – failure to maintain brakes, mirrors, or headlights
• Victim visibility – whether the pedestrian or bicyclist was visible to oncoming drivers

Even if a victim is positioned in the roadway, Florida’s comparative negligence statute (§768.81) allows families to pursue damages if the truck driver or company also shares fault.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida

If negligence is established, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (§§768.16–768.26).

Eligible family members may include:

• A spouse, children, or parents of the deceased
• Dependent blood relatives or adopted siblings

Damages that may be recoverable:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of income and financial support
• Loss of companionship and emotional suffering
• Mental pain and suffering for immediate family members
• Medical expenses incurred prior to death

The personal representative of the decedent’s estate must file the claim on behalf of the survivors and the estate.

Key Steps Families Should Take After a Fatal Truck Crash

1. Request the Crash Report – The official FHP report will document all critical details, including statements from the truck driver and witnesses.
2. Preserve Evidence – Your attorney can send a legal notice to preserve the truck’s black box data, maintenance logs, and driver records before they are altered or destroyed.
3. Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters Alone – Trucking insurers often attempt to minimize payouts. Direct all communications through legal counsel.
4. Consult a Wrongful Death Attorney – An experienced attorney can identify all potential liable parties — including the trucking company, maintenance provider, or parts manufacturer.

Under Fla. Stat. §95.11(4)(d), families generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline could permanently bar recovery, so it’s critical to act promptly.

Because the crash involved a commercial truck, higher insurance coverage likely applies. Under Fla. Stat. §627.7415, commercial carriers operating vehicles weighing over 44,000 pounds must maintain minimum liability coverage of $300,000. However, many carriers carry far more, depending on their business type and federal regulations.

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule under §768.81, meaning a claimant can recover damages even if the deceased was partially responsible for the accident — as long as they are not found more than 50% at fault. Damages are reduced in proportion to the victim’s share of fault.

For example, if the deceased is deemed 30% responsible, the family could still recover 70% of the total awarded damages.

Investigating and litigating a commercial truck accident requires experience with federal trucking regulations, expert accident reconstruction, and insurance litigation. At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, our attorneys work to:

• Obtain black box (ECM) and GPS data
• Review driver logs and hours-of-service compliance
• Subpoena maintenance records
• Work with accident reconstruction and biomechanical experts
• Negotiate with insurers and corporate defense counsel
• File a wrongful death lawsuit when settlement offers are inadequate

Our team ensures that every aspect of the case is handled with compassion and precision while aggressively pursuing justice for the victim and their family.

While the cause of this fatal Oslo Road crash is still under investigation, families affected by similar tragedies deserve answers — and accountability. Truck drivers and their employers are required to exercise heightened caution under both Florida law and federal trucking regulations (49 CFR §392.2). When they fail to do so, victims’ families have the right to hold them financially and legally responsible.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident in Vero Beach or Indian River County, the attorneys at Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm are here to help. We will investigate the crash, preserve evidence, and pursue maximum compensation under Florida law. Call us today at (305) 638-4143 for a free consultation. You pay no legal fees unless we win your case.