76-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash in Lake Buena Vista

A 76-year-old Orlando man was killed early Monday morning after being struck by multiple vehicles on South Apopka-Vineland Road in Lake Buena Vista, including a vehicle whose driver allegedly left the scene.

The September 7, 2026 crash happened at approximately 6:04 a.m. south of Palm Parkway.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the pedestrian was walking west and entered the southbound lanes of South Apopka-Vineland Road outside of a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a Nissan Altima driven by a 57-year-old Orlando man.

The impact propelled the pedestrian into the outside lane, where FHP said he was then struck by the undercarriage of a Nissan Cube driven by a 47-year-old Orlando man.

The Altima driver also reported that a third vehicle, possibly a white SUV, may have struck the pedestrian before continuing southbound.

The driver of the Nissan Cube initially continued traveling but later returned to the scene, according to FHP. Investigators are still searching for the driver of the suspected third vehicle.

The pedestrian was transported to Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

What Happened in the Lake Buena Vista Pedestrian Crash?

According to FHP’s preliminary account, the Nissan Altima and Nissan Cube were both traveling southbound in the outside lane of South Apopka-Vineland Road.

The 76-year-old pedestrian was walking west when he entered the southbound travel lanes outside a marked crosswalk.

FHP said the front-right side of the Altima struck him.

The initial impact propelled the pedestrian into the outside lane, where the undercarriage of the Nissan Cube subsequently struck him.

The Altima driver told investigators that a third vehicle, possibly a white SUV, also struck the pedestrian.

The Cube driver continued south after the collision but later returned to the scene. FHP said the vehicle had undercarriage damage consistent with the crash.

The suspected third driver had not been located.

FHP Searching for Possible White SUV

One of the most important unresolved questions is the identity of the driver of the third vehicle.

FHP said the Altima driver reported that a possible white SUV also struck the pedestrian in the outside lane and continued southbound.

Investigators have not yet confirmed the make, model or identity of that vehicle.

Anyone with information about the crash or the suspected third vehicle has been asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at *347 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS.

Identifying that vehicle could be important not only to the hit-and-run investigation but also to determining the complete sequence of impacts and whether the third collision contributed to the pedestrian’s fatal injuries.

Florida Hit-and-Run Law After a Fatal Crash

Florida law imposes specific duties on drivers involved in crashes resulting in injury or death.

Under Fla. Stat. § 316.027, a driver involved in a crash resulting in injury or death generally must immediately stop at the scene and fulfill the requirements imposed by Florida law.

Those duties can include providing identifying information and rendering reasonable assistance when necessary.

Leaving the scene of a crash involving a death can result in serious criminal consequences.

However, investigators would still need to establish that the unidentified driver was actually involved in the collision and determine the circumstances surrounding that driver’s departure.

The fact that authorities are searching for a possible third vehicle does not establish the driver’s criminal guilt.

Pedestrian Was Outside a Marked Crosswalk

FHP specifically reported that the pedestrian entered South Apopka-Vineland Road outside of a marked crosswalk.

That fact may be relevant to the investigation and to any subsequent civil liability analysis.

Florida Statute § 316.130 contains several rules governing pedestrians and motorists. Among other provisions, pedestrians crossing a roadway outside a marked crosswalk generally must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the roadway.

Motorists, however, still have legal duties toward pedestrians. The circumstances of a pedestrian’s crossing do not automatically resolve every question of responsibility following a collision.

Investigators may consider visibility, vehicle speed, lighting conditions, reaction time, the pedestrian’s location and movements and what each driver could reasonably perceive before impact.

Multiple Impacts Could Complicate the Investigation

This crash potentially involved three separate vehicles striking the same pedestrian.

That can make determining causation more complicated.

Investigators may need to determine which injuries resulted from each impact and whether one or multiple collisions contributed to the pedestrian’s death.

The damage to the vehicles, medical findings and physical evidence from the roadway may help reconstruct that sequence.

The Cube’s reported undercarriage damage may also provide evidence regarding the second impact.

If the third vehicle is located, investigators may examine it for damage or other physical evidence consistent with contact with the pedestrian.

Evidence Could Help Identify the Third Driver

A hit-and-run investigation can depend heavily on evidence collected quickly after a crash.

Investigators may examine:

• Traffic and surveillance camera footage
• Video from nearby businesses or properties
• Dash camera recordings
• Witness statements
• Vehicle debris recovered from the roadway
• Damage to the Nissan Altima and Nissan Cube
• Damage to a suspected third vehicle
• Crash-scene photographs and measurements
• Event data recorder information when available
• 911 calls and emergency response records
• Lighting and visibility conditions
• Medical examiner findings

Surveillance footage could be particularly important in identifying vehicles traveling southbound on South Apopka-Vineland Road around 6:04 a.m.

Physical evidence could also help investigators determine whether the reported white SUV actually struck the pedestrian.

Can a Hit-and-Run Driver Be Civilly Liable?

Leaving the scene and causing a crash are separate legal questions.

If investigators identify the third driver, they will need to determine both whether that driver violated Florida’s hit-and-run laws and whether the vehicle’s impact caused or contributed to the pedestrian’s death.

A driver could potentially face criminal consequences for unlawfully leaving a crash scene even when that driver did not cause the initial collision.

Civil liability, meanwhile, generally depends on whether a person’s negligence caused or contributed to the victim’s injuries or death.

Because the pedestrian had already been struck before the possible third vehicle reached him, reconstructing the timing and medical consequences of each impact may be particularly important.

Comparative Fault May Be an Issue

Florida’s modified comparative negligence law under Fla. Stat. § 768.81 may become relevant if evidence establishes that multiple people contributed to the fatal incident.

FHP reported that the pedestrian entered the roadway outside a marked crosswalk. That fact could potentially be considered when determining comparative responsibility.

Investigators and, if necessary, civil courts may also examine the conduct of each driver.

The preliminary information is not sufficient to assign civil responsibility to any particular person.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Pedestrian Crash

When a pedestrian is killed because of another person’s negligence, Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16 through 768.26, may allow a personal representative to pursue a claim for the benefit of eligible survivors and the estate.

In a multi-vehicle crash, determining which parties may be legally responsible can require a detailed analysis of the sequence of impacts.

Potential claims could depend on whether evidence establishes that one or more drivers acted negligently and whether that conduct caused or contributed to the pedestrian’s death.

If a responsible hit-and-run driver cannot be located or lacks sufficient insurance, available uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also become relevant depending on the circumstances and applicable policies.

No civil liability determination has been made in this case.

FHP Continues to Investigate Fatal Lake Buena Vista Hit-and-Run

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the September 7 fatal pedestrian crash on South Apopka-Vineland Road south of Palm Parkway.

FHP said the 76-year-old Orlando man was first struck by a Nissan Altima after entering the roadway outside a marked crosswalk and was subsequently struck by a Nissan Cube.

Investigators are also searching for a possible third vehicle, described as potentially being a white SUV, that may have struck the pedestrian before leaving the area.

The pedestrian was transported to Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Anyone with information about the unidentified vehicle or driver has been asked to contact FHP or CRIMELINE.

We extend our condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones following this tragic crash.