Tampa Man Killed in Early-Morning Crash With Semi-Tractor on I-75 in Sumter County

A fatal crash involving a passenger vehicle and a semi-tractor claimed the life of a 19-year-old Tampa man early Sunday morning in Sumter County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

Troopers say the crash occurred around 5:18 a.m. on southbound Interstate 75 near milepost 321 in Lake Panasoffkee. According to FHP, the young man was driving a Honda Accord behind a semi-tractor that was not hauling a trailer.

Investigators reported that the semi-tractor, driven by a 35-year-old man from Rhode Island, experienced mechanical problems and pulled over onto the emergency shoulder. For reasons that remain unclear, the Honda Accord subsequently entered the shoulder and struck the stopped semi-tractor.

The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi-tractor driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital. The crash remains under investigation.

Crashes involving stopped or disabled commercial vehicles on high-speed roadways like I-75 are often catastrophic. Early morning hours can further increase risk due to reduced visibility, driver fatigue, and limited reaction time.

Key safety and liability questions in crashes involving disabled semi-tractors often include:

• Whether proper warning devices (hazard lights, reflective triangles) were deployed
• How long the commercial vehicle had been stopped on the shoulder
• Whether the mechanical issue was foreseeable or related to maintenance failures
• Visibility conditions at the time of the crash
• Driver fatigue or impairment factors

Even when a vehicle is stopped on the shoulder, federal and Florida safety regulations require commercial drivers to take specific steps to warn approaching motorists.

Legal Options After a Fatal Semi-Truck Crash in Florida

When a motor vehicle crash results in death, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act (Florida Statutes §§768.16–768.26).

In Florida, a wrongful death claim must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate on behalf of surviving family members, which may include parents when the deceased is an unmarried adult child.

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses related to the fatal injury
• Loss of financial support and services
• Mental pain and suffering of surviving parents
• Loss of companionship and protection

While FHP has not yet determined fault, liability in commercial vehicle crashes may extend beyond the individual driver and include trucking companies, maintenance providers, or other third parties if negligence contributed to the collision.

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system (§768.81). Fault is apportioned among all responsible parties, and recovery may be barred only if the decedent is found to be more than 50% at fault.

Law enforcement investigations focus on determining how a crash occurred and whether traffic laws were violated. They do not investigate civil liability or secure compensation for families.

An independent legal investigation may involve:

• Reviewing commercial vehicle maintenance and inspection records
• Analyzing federal motor carrier safety compliance
• Examining crash reconstruction data and vehicle damage
• Identifying surveillance, dashcam, or traffic camera footage
• Determining all available insurance coverage

Preserving this evidence early is often critical in fatal commercial vehicle cases.

Experienced Representation in Fatal Truck Accident Cases

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families throughout Florida who have lost loved ones in serious and fatal crashes, including those involving commercial trucks and semi-tractors.

We understand the complexity of trucking cases and the profound impact these tragedies have on families. Our firm intentionally limits its caseload so clients work directly with experienced attorneys—not case managers.

We can help by:

• Conducting an independent investigation
• Identifying all potentially liable parties
• Handling communication with insurers and trucking companies
• Pursuing full and fair compensation under Florida law

There are no upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

📞 If you lost a loved one in a crash involving a semi-truck on I-75 in Sumter County or anywhere in Florida, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer for a free, confidential consultation.