Fiery Semi-Truck Crash on State Road 60 in Osceola County Kills One, Injures Another

A devastating multi-vehicle crash involving two semi-trucks and a pickup truck claimed one life and left another person injured Wednesday afternoon in Osceola County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The collision caused a major fire and forced the complete shutdown of State Road 60 in both directions for several hours.

FHP reports that the crash occurred around 2:37 p.m. near Peavine Road in Kenansville.

According to investigators, a semi-truck was traveling westbound on State Road 60 when it failed to stop for traffic ahead. At the time, a Peterbilt semi-truck and a Ford F-150 pickup truck were stopped in the westbound lane due to traffic conditions.

Troopers said the westbound semi-truck collided with the rear of the Peterbilt, which then struck the back of the Ford pickup. The initial impact caused the first semi-truck to become fully engulfed in flames.

The driver of that semi-truck, whose identity has not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

• The driver of the Peterbilt semi-truck, a 48-year-old man from Eagle Lake, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
• The driver of the Ford F-150 was not injured.

Both eastbound and westbound lanes of State Road 60 remained closed for hours, with troopers continuing their investigation into the evening.

Crashes involving commercial trucks are among the most dangerous types of roadway accidents due to the size, weight, and force of impact involved. When a semi-truck fails to stop in traffic, the results can be fatal within seconds.

Common contributing factors in semi-truck crashes include:

• Driver fatigue or inattention
• Failure to maintain safe following distances
• Speeding or inability to stop in traffic
• Mechanical or brake failure
• Inadequate training or supervision

When fires occur following a crash, victims may face extreme danger due to fuel ignition, limited escape time, and severe burn injuries.

Determining Liability in Commercial Truck Crashes

Fatal truck crashes require thorough investigations beyond the initial police report. Liability may extend to multiple parties, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company or employer
• Maintenance or repair providers
• Manufacturers of defective truck parts
• Cargo loaders or third-party contractors

Key evidence often includes driver logbooks, electronic logging device (ELD) data, vehicle maintenance records, black box data, and surveillance footage. Preserving this evidence quickly is critical.

Legal Options After a Fatal Truck Accident

When a commercial vehicle crash results in death, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim under Florida law. Potential compensation may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support and benefits
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Mental pain and suffering
• Medical expenses incurred before death

Truck accident cases are complex and often aggressively defended, making experienced legal representation essential.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families affected by catastrophic and fatal commercial vehicle accidents across Florida, including crashes involving semi-trucks and tractor-trailers.

We intentionally maintain a small caseload so families receive direct access to an attorney—not a case manager. Our team acts quickly to:

• Launch an independent crash investigation
• Preserve trucking company records and black box data
• Work with accident reconstruction experts
• Identify all insurance coverage and liable parties
• Handle all communications with insurers and defense teams

Families pay nothing upfront. We only recover fees if we recover compensation.

If your loved one was killed or seriously injured in the fiery semi-truck crash on State Road 60 in Osceola County, you do not have to face this difficult time alone.

📞 Contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation. We represent families throughout Osceola County and across South Florida.