Tampa Man, 25, Killed After Being Run Over by Tractor-Trailer Following I-75 Crash

A 25-year-old Tampa man was killed early Tuesday morning after being ejected from his vehicle and struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 75, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The fatal crash occurred on northbound I-75 near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

According to troopers:

• The 25-year-old man was driving a Dodge 1500 pickup truck.
• He attempted to pass a Chevy box truck.
• During the maneuver, the Dodge collided with the rear of the box truck.

The force of the collision caused the Dodge to overturn multiple times.

Troopers say the driver was ejected from the vehicle and thrown into the center lanes of I-75.

Moments later, he was struck by a tractor-trailer traveling along the interstate.

The 25-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash led to the closure of all northbound lanes of I-75 for several hours while investigators worked to reconstruct the crash and clear the roadway.

High-speed interstate crashes can quickly become fatal, especially when a vehicle overturns and an occupant is ejected.

Ejection dramatically increases the likelihood of death in a crash. Investigators will likely examine:

• Speed and lane positioning during the passing attempt
• Whether proper following distance was maintained
• Seat belt usage
• Impact angles and crash dynamics
• Event data recorder (black box) information

Secondary impacts — such as being struck by another vehicle after ejection — are often unavoidable for approaching drivers due to limited reaction time at highway speeds.

Legal Considerations in Multi-Vehicle Interstate Crashes

Crashes involving multiple commercial vehicles can raise complex liability issues. Investigators may analyze:

• Whether the passing maneuver was performed safely
• Whether the box truck was operating properly
• Reaction time and braking distance of the tractor-trailer
• Commercial driver compliance with safety regulations

While criminal liability depends on specific findings, civil claims in fatal crashes often focus on determining whether negligence by any party contributed to the sequence of events.

In Florida, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover damages for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses prior to death
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship
• Mental pain and suffering

Highway crashes involving commercial vehicles often require detailed accident reconstruction and review of trucking logs, vehicle maintenance records, and electronic data.

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal I-75 crash near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a similar accident, contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.