Woman Carrying Infant Killed in Early Morning Crash on SR-46 in Seminole County

A heartbreaking crash in Seminole County, Florida claimed the life of a 24-year-old woman who was struck by a pickup truck while walking along State Road 46 early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The woman was carrying an infant in a car seat at the time of the crash. The child survived.

What We Know About the Crash

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred just after 3:00 a.m. on April 14, 2026, along State Road 46 near Jungle Road. Investigators say the woman was walking westbound in the travel lane while carrying an infant secured in a car seat when she was struck by a 2008 Ford F-350 pickup truck driven by a 58-year-old man traveling in the same direction.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The infant was not injured but was transported to Orlando Health Lake Mary as a precaution. Authorities say the driver remained at the scene and was not hospitalized. The roadway was shut down for several hours during the investigation before reopening.

Dangers of Pedestrian Accidents on High-Speed Roadways

Pedestrian crashes on highways or major roadways like SR-46 are often fatal due to speed, limited visibility, and lack of safe walking areas.

Key risk factors include:

• Walking in active travel lanes
• Low visibility during early morning or nighttime hours
• High vehicle speeds
• Lack of sidewalks or designated pedestrian pathways

Even when drivers are attentive, the combination of darkness and unexpected pedestrian presence in the roadway can make collisions difficult to avoid.

Legal Considerations in Pedestrian Fatality Cases

Determining liability in pedestrian crashes requires a detailed investigation of all circumstances, including both driver and pedestrian actions.

Potential factors that may be examined include:

• Driver speed, attentiveness, and reaction time
• Lighting and visibility conditions
• Roadway design and availability of pedestrian infrastructure
• Whether the pedestrian had safe alternatives to walking in the roadway

Florida follows a comparative negligence system, meaning that even if a pedestrian is partially at fault, a claim may still be pursued depending on the circumstances.

Wrongful Death Claims Under Florida Law

Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, Florida Statutes §§ 768.16–768.26, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue compensation if negligence contributed to the fatal crash.

Damages may include:

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

The survival of the infant in this case may also raise additional considerations regarding care and future support.

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash, including why the woman was in the roadway and whether any contributing factors played a role.

Our Thoughts Are With the Family

Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this devastating time.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families throughout Florida in tragic pedestrian and wrongful death cases. If your loved one was killed in a crash, our firm can help investigate the circumstances and determine whether a claim may be appropriate.

We offer free consultations and handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fees unless we recover compensation for your family.