St. Petersburg Man Killed After Being Struck by Two Tractor-Trailers on U.S. 301 in Alachua County

A 37-year-old St. Petersburg man was killed late Friday night after he was struck by two tractor-trailers on U.S. 301 in Alachua County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man had previously crashed his vehicle while traveling north on U.S. 301 near Southeast 111th Avenue. He left the vehicle on the grass shoulder and began walking on foot along the highway.

Just before midnight, a northbound tractor-trailer struck the pedestrian. FHP reported that a second tractor-trailer traveling behind the first then also struck him.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neither tractor-trailer driver was injured.

What Happened on U.S. 301 in Alachua County?

According to FHP’s preliminary account, the 37-year-old man was initially involved in a separate crash on northbound U.S. 301.

His vehicle came to rest on the grass shoulder near Southeast 111th Avenue.

At some point after that collision, the man exited the vehicle and began walking on foot on the highway.

Shortly before midnight, a tractor-trailer hauling a trailer approached northbound and struck him.

A second tractor-trailer traveling behind the first truck then also struck the pedestrian.

The man suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Both commercial truck drivers were uninjured. FHP reported that they were wearing seat belts.

Why Was the Pedestrian Walking on the Highway?

The available report does not explain why the man left his crashed vehicle or where precisely he was walking when the first tractor-trailer struck him.

Those details could become important to understanding the collision.

Investigators may attempt to determine whether the man’s vehicle was disabled, whether he was attempting to seek assistance and how far he had traveled from the vehicle.

The circumstances of the earlier crash could also be relevant.

FHP has not released information explaining what caused the man’s initial collision or whether another vehicle was involved in it.

Visibility Could Be a Major Part of the Investigation

The pedestrian was struck shortly before midnight, making nighttime visibility a potentially important investigative issue.

Investigators may examine roadway lighting, the tractor-trailers’ headlights, the pedestrian’s clothing, surrounding traffic and how far ahead each truck driver could reasonably see.

The fact that the crash occurred at night does not establish that visibility caused it.

Investigators would need to determine when the pedestrian became visible to each truck driver and whether either driver had sufficient time and distance to react.

The Two Tractor-Trailer Impacts Should Be Examined Separately

Because two trucks reportedly struck the pedestrian in succession, investigators may need to reconstruct each impact individually.

The first tractor-trailer driver’s opportunity to see and avoid the pedestrian may have been very different from that of the second driver.

After the initial impact, the second truck driver may have had even less time to recognize what had happened and respond.

Investigators may examine the spacing between the trucks, their speeds, lane positions, braking and whether either driver attempted an evasive maneuver.

Those questions cannot be answered from the initial report alone.

Following Distance Could Be Relevant to the Second Collision

The available report states that the second tractor-trailer was traveling behind the first truck, but it does not specify the distance between them.

Florida Statute § 316.0895 governs following too closely and includes specific provisions applicable to certain trucks and vehicles towing other vehicles.

Whether following distance contributed to the second impact remains unknown.

Investigators may examine whether the second truck had sufficient space to react after the first collision occurred.

There is currently no reported evidence that either truck driver was following too closely or otherwise violated Florida traffic law.

Florida Law Governing Pedestrians on Roadways

Florida Statute § 316.130 establishes rules governing pedestrians and motorists.

The statute includes requirements concerning sidewalks, shoulders, crosswalks and pedestrian travel along roadways.

Determining which provisions apply here would require more information about exactly where the man was walking when he was struck.

Even when a pedestrian is in an unexpected location, drivers still have a duty to exercise appropriate care under the circumstances.

At the same time, a pedestrian’s location and conduct can become relevant when investigators and courts evaluate how a collision occurred.

Commercial Truck Evidence May Be Important

Crashes involving tractor-trailers can generate forms of evidence that may not be available in an ordinary passenger vehicle collision.

Depending on the trucks and carriers involved, investigators may examine electronic logging device information, engine control module data, GPS records, dash camera footage, dispatch records and driver logs.

Truck inspection and maintenance records could also become relevant if investigators identify a potential mechanical issue.

There is currently no indication that driver fatigue, a mechanical problem or a violation of commercial trucking regulations contributed to this crash.

Those possibilities should not be assumed without evidence.

Evidence That Could Help Reconstruct the Fatal Crash

Potential evidence may include:

• Dash camera or surveillance footage
• Event data and electronic information from both tractor-trailers
• Electronic logging device records, if applicable
• GPS and dispatch records
• Driver logs
• Crash-scene photographs and measurements
• Tire marks and roadway debris
• Vehicle damage
• Headlight and roadway lighting conditions
• Witness statements
• Evidence from the pedestrian’s initial crash
• 911 calls and emergency response records

Because the pedestrian was struck twice, physical evidence may also help investigators determine which injuries occurred during each impact and reconstruct the sequence of events.

Could the Trucking Companies Be Liable?

The fact that commercial trucks were involved does not automatically mean their drivers or trucking companies were negligent.

If evidence establishes that a truck driver’s negligence contributed to the collision, the driver’s employer or motor carrier could potentially become relevant depending on the driver’s employment status and the circumstances of the trip.

An investigation could also examine hiring, training, supervision, maintenance and compliance with applicable commercial motor vehicle regulations if those issues become relevant.

At this stage, however, FHP has not reported that either tractor-trailer driver caused the collision.

Comparative Fault in Florida Pedestrian Crashes

Florida Statute § 768.81 may become relevant if evidence indicates that multiple people contributed to a collision.

In this case, investigators may examine why the pedestrian was on the highway, his location when he was struck, the actions of both tractor-trailer drivers and the circumstances surrounding the earlier crash.

A pedestrian’s actions do not automatically eliminate the possibility of a claim against another responsible party.

Similarly, the occurrence of a fatal collision does not establish negligence by either truck driver.

Responsibility must be determined from the complete evidence.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Pedestrian Crash

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16 through 768.26, may provide a civil remedy when another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct causes a death.

A wrongful death action is generally brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate for the benefit of eligible survivors and the estate.

Whether a wrongful death claim exists following this crash will depend on what FHP and any independent investigation determine about the conduct of the pedestrian, the two truck drivers and any other potentially contributing factors.

FHP Continues to Investigate the U.S. 301 Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal collision on U.S. 301 near Southeast 111th Avenue in Alachua County.

Troopers said the 37-year-old St. Petersburg man had crashed his vehicle and left it on the grass shoulder before walking on the highway.

Shortly before midnight, he was struck by one northbound tractor-trailer and then by a second tractor-trailer traveling behind it.

The man died at the scene. Neither truck driver was injured.

Authorities have not yet released additional information explaining the man’s initial crash or the precise circumstances leading to the two subsequent impacts.

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