Man Killed in Collision With Dump Truck on U.S. 17/92 North of Davenport

A deadly multi-vehicle crash involving a dump truck claimed the life of a 47-year-old Haines City man early Tuesday morning on U.S. 17/92 north of Davenport, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. on January 27, 2026, near Bargain Barn Road, a busy stretch of U.S. 17/92 frequently used by commuters and commercial vehicles.

Investigators said two vehicles — a 2014 Infiniti Q50 driven by Jose Luis Velazquez, 47, and a 2014 Jeep Cherokee driven by a 61-year-old Haines City man — were traveling northbound on U.S. 17/92 when the two cars made contact.

As a result of that initial collision, the Infiniti crossed into the southbound lanes, where it collided head-on with an oncoming dump truck driven by a 40-year-old Orlando man.

Deputies arrived to find Velazquez deceased inside his vehicle. The dump truck driver remained at the scene. No independent witnesses or surveillance video were immediately available, and the roadway was closed for approximately four hours while investigators processed evidence.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing, and any potential charges will depend on the final findings.

Collisions involving dump trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles are often catastrophic due to the size, weight, and stopping distance of these trucks. When a passenger vehicle is pushed into oncoming traffic — particularly into the path of a dump truck — the likelihood of fatal injuries increases dramatically.

Multi-vehicle crashes like this can involve shared or disputed liability, especially when:

• One vehicle causes another to lose control
• A chain reaction pushes a vehicle into opposing lanes
• There are no eyewitnesses or video evidence
• Commercial vehicles are involved

Legal Options After a Fatal Truck-Related Crash in Florida

Even if criminal charges are not immediately filed, a fatal crash may still give rise to a wrongful death claim under Florida law. These are civil cases focused on financial accountability and protecting surviving family members.

Depending on the facts uncovered during the investigation, potential claims may involve:

• The driver of another passenger vehicle
• The dump truck driver
• The dump truck company or employer
• Maintenance or inspection failures
• Unsafe roadway design or traffic conditions

Eligible surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support and future income
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
• Mental pain and suffering
• Medical expenses incurred before death

Law enforcement investigations are focused on determining whether traffic laws were violated — not on preserving evidence for civil claims. In complex crashes involving dump trucks, an independent legal investigation may uncover:

• Vehicle damage analysis and crash reconstruction
• Dump truck maintenance and inspection records
• Driver logs and employment records
• Black-box or electronic data
• Prior safety violations

This evidence can be critical to determining fault and ensuring families are not unfairly left without answers or accountability.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families who have lost loved ones in serious and fatal crashes involving dump trucks, commercial vehicles, and multi-vehicle collisions across Florida.

We intentionally maintain a small caseload, allowing families to work directly with experienced attorneys who handle every aspect of the case with care and urgency.

Our firm can:

• Conduct a thorough, independent investigation
• Identify all responsible parties and insurance coverage
• Handle communications with trucking companies and insurers
• Pursue wrongful death claims with compassion and precision

There are no upfront costs. We only recover fees if we recover compensation.

📞 If you lost a loved one in a crash involving a dump truck or commercial vehicle in Polk County or anywhere in Florida, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer for a free, confidential consultation.