Fatal Lake County Crash Involving Semi-Truck Claims Life of Pickup Truck Driver

A tragic collision on County Road 44A and County Road 439 on Friday afternoon has claimed the life of a 56-year-old Eustis man, following a crash with a semi-truck. The accident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The crash remains under active investigation, but early reports and eyewitness statements suggest that the driver of a 2013 Freightliner semi-truck may have run a red light, turning left into the path of the victim’s 2010 Dodge Ram pickup truck.

What We Know About the Crash

• The semi-truck, driven by a 76-year-old man from Orlando, was headed toward the intersection at County Road 44A and CR 439.
• A witness at the scene reported that the semi failed to stop at a red light, executing a left turn that placed it directly in front of the pickup truck.
• The resulting impact sent both drivers to the hospital.
• The semi-truck driver was transported to Advent Health Waterman with non-life-threatening injuries.
• The pickup truck driver was rushed to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead due to the severity of his injuries.

Authorities have not released the name of the deceased at the time of this writing. The intersection was fully blocked as emergency crews responded and investigators examined the crash site.

While the FHP investigation continues, preliminary information points to a potential traffic violation by the semi-truck driver, who allegedly ran a red light. Common causes of semi-truck crashes include:

• Running red lights or stop signs
• Improper left turns
• Driver fatigue or inattention
• Brake or mechanical failure
• Speeding or aggressive driving

Given the witness statement, there may be a strong basis for asserting that the semi driver acted negligently. If confirmed, this opens the door for a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased pickup truck driver’s family.

In Florida, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed when someone’s death is caused by another party’s negligence or misconduct. In this case, if the semi-truck driver violated traffic laws and caused the fatal crash, his actions—and possibly his employer’s—may be grounds for liability.

Potential parties in a wrongful death case may include:

• The semi-truck driver, if found negligent
• The trucking company, if they failed to maintain the vehicle properly or if the driver was not properly trained or supervised
• Other third parties, such as maintenance contractors or freight operators, depending on the cause of the crash

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families who have lost loved ones in preventable crashes. Our legal team is prepared to investigate complex commercial vehicle accidents, hold negligent drivers and companies accountable, and pursue the maximum compensation allowed by law.