Pedestrian dead after crash on US-41 near Bayshore Drive in Collier County

A tragic pedestrian crash claimed the life of a 68-year-old man Wednesday night along U.S. 41 near Bayshore Drive in Collier County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

FHP confirmed the deadly crash involved a vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. 41 in the area of Bayshore Road. Investigators say the pedestrian attempted to cross the southbound lanes of U.S. 41 when he was struck by the vehicle.

Emergency responders transported the man to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. His identity has not yet been publicly released. The crash remains under active investigation by FHP.

U.S. 41 is a heavily traveled roadway, particularly at night, and pedestrian crashes in this corridor are unfortunately not uncommon.

Pedestrian accidents on highways like U.S. 41 are often severe or fatal due to high vehicle speeds, multiple travel lanes, limited lighting, and insufficient pedestrian crossings. Even when a pedestrian is crossing outside of a marked crosswalk, drivers still have a legal duty to remain attentive and operate their vehicles safely.

Common factors in fatal pedestrian crashes include:

• Driver inattention or distraction
• Excessive speed
• Poor lighting or visibility conditions
• Failure to yield or brake in time
• Lack of safe pedestrian infrastructure

Determining fault in these cases requires a careful analysis of driver behavior, roadway design, lighting, and visibility at the time of the crash.

Legal Options for the Victim’s Family

When a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim under Florida law—even if no criminal charges are filed.

A wrongful death claim may allow the family to seek compensation for:

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

Liability may rest with the driver, but in some cases can also involve roadway design issues, inadequate lighting, or dangerous traffic patterns that contribute to pedestrian deaths.

Why an Independent Investigation Is Critical

Law enforcement investigations focus primarily on determining whether traffic laws were violated—not on fully identifying civil liability or maximizing compensation for families. An independent legal investigation can uncover additional evidence, including:

• Vehicle speed and braking data
• Surveillance or traffic camera footage
• Witness statements
• Roadway lighting, signage, and crossing conditions

This evidence can be essential in determining whether negligence played a role and in holding the appropriate parties accountable.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families throughout Florida who have lost loved ones in fatal pedestrian accidents. We intentionally limit our caseload so families work directly with experienced wrongful death attorneys—not case managers.

Our firm can help by:

• Conducting a thorough, independent investigation
• Analyzing fault and insurance coverage
• Handling all communications with insurers
• Pursuing wrongful death claims with compassion and urgency

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

📞 If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian crash in Collier County or anywhere in Florida, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer for a free, confidential consultation.