SPRING HILL, FL – A collision in Hernando County on Saturday evening left one person dead and another injured, Fox 13 News reported.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a man was driving a Honda motorcycle west on Spring Hill Drive shortly after 6:30 p.m. and failed to stop at a red light at the intersection with Pinehurst Drive. The motorcycle struck a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV that was going south on Pinehurst Drive. The motorcycle and SUV rotated and came to rest in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
The motorcycle driver, a 21-year-old Spring Hill man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Hyundai, a 43-year-old woman from Spring Hill, sustained minor injuries.
OCALA, FL – Police said a teenager has been arrested on charges stemming from a fatal car accident in Ocala that occurred on Feb. 20.
In a news release, the Ocala Police Department said the 17-year-old suspect has been charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in connection with the accident near the 1500 block of SE 36th Avenue.
Investigators said the teen driver was driving a Mercedes SUV at over 120 miles per hour moments before the wreck with no evidence of braking. The Mercedes crashed into the back of a Mazda, causing it to strike a concrete utility pole. The Mazda returned to the roadway, overturned and caught fire.
CITRUS COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said two pickup trucks were involved in a fatal collision Saturday afternoon in Citrus County.
According to a WFLA report, the driver of a Dodge Ram was going east on County Road 480 when he crossed over the center line near South Meredith Avenue at about 1:45 p.m. The Dodge collided with a westbound Toyota Tundra nearly head-on, with both vehicles ending up in the westbound lane and the shoulder.
The Toyota driver, a 56-year-old man from Weeki Wachee, died at the scene. The Dodge was driven by a 20-year-old Weeki Wachee man, who had two men as passengers, ages 27 and 19. There was no word on whether any of the occupants of the Dodge were injured.
MARION COUNTY, FL – A crash involving a car and a pickup truck in Marion County left one person dead and two others injured, including a toddler.
WESH reports the accident took place Saturday afternoon in the vicinity of County Road 484 and SW 95th Circle.
The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation indicated that the driver of a sedan was headed south on SW 95th Circle in the right turn lane at about 4:42 p.m. When the sedan entered the intersection, it was struck by a pickup that was going west on County Road 484. The impact sent the two vehicles onto the shoulder of County Road 484.
OCKLAWAHA, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol and Marion County Fire Rescue were called to the scene of a fatal wreck in Marion County on Wednesday night.
The FHP’s investigation determined that a 45-year-old Ocklawaha man was driving a Nissan pickup truck southbound shortly before 7:53 p.m. when he lost control while going around a curve. The pickup crashed into a tree near 170th Avenue Road.
PASCO COUNTY, FL – One of the drivers involved in a fatal collision in Pasco County on Sunday night is facing charges, according to Pasco News Online.
Two vehicles and a motorcycle were involved in the crash, which occurred on State Road 52 near Pine Forest Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation determined that a Chrysler PT Cruiser was stopped in the travel lane of SR-52 after an accident with a Hyundai sedan. A man riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound in the center lane crashed into the PT Cruiser. The bike then went airborne into the inside lane and was hit by a Volkswagen Passat.
BUSHNELL, FL – A collision between two vehicles in Sumter County on Sunday night left one driver dead and the other injured, WKMG reports.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of a Kia was going north on U.S. Highway 301 in Bushnell at about 9:45 p.m. when he entered the southbound lane near County Road 700. The Kia crashed into a Hyundai Elantra nearly head-on.
The driver of the Kia, a 49-year-old man from Dade City, died at the scene. The driver of the Hyundai, an 18-year-old woman from Webster, was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Child hot car deaths occur when children are left unattended in vehicles, where temperatures can rise to lethal levels within minutes. According to data from KidsAndCars.org, an average of 38 children die from heat-related deaths after being left inside cars each year in the United States. Florida consistently ranks among the top states for these incidents, and currently ranks second in the U.S. for the number of child hot car deaths.
With 118 incidents recorded since 1990, Florida is the state with the second-highest number of child fatalities from excessively hot cars. In 2023 alone, 7 kids died, the most in a single year since 2017. Texas has recorded the most child fatalities from overheated cars in the country—155 since 1990. Children under three years old account for 88% of those who pass away from heatstroke after being left alone in a hot car.
The month’s most likely to see hot car deaths are May through September. Unintentionally leaving kids in cars is something that happens most often at the end of the workweek. On the other hand, incidences when kids enter cars by themselves tend to occur more frequently on weekends.
What is the Science Behind Heatstroke?
The interior of a car can heat up at an alarming rate. Even on a relatively mild day, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels. Here is a breakdown of how quickly the temperature can rise:
10 minutes: The temperature inside a car can increase by 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
20 minutes: The temperature can rise by 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
60 minutes: The temperature can be more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the outside temperature.
On a hot day in Florida, where the outside temperature can easily reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the inside of a car can exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be fatal for a child, as their bodies heat up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s.
What Factors Contribute to Child Hot Car Deaths?
Forgotten Children: In many cases, busy parents and caregivers accidentally leave children in the car due to changes in routine or distractions.
Gained Access: Sometimes children climb into unlocked cars without their parents’ knowledge and become trapped.
Intentionally Left: In some instances, children are intentionally left in the car by caregivers who underestimate the danger or the time they will be away.
The consequences of leaving a child in a hot car are devastating. Heatstroke can occur when the body’s temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, and unconsciousness. When the body temperature reaches 107 degrees Fahrenheit, it can result in death.
In response to the persistent problem of hot car deaths, Florida has implemented several measures. Public awareness campaigns aim to educate parents and caregivers about the risks. Law enforcement agencies often run “Look Before You Lock” campaigns during the summer months. Additionally, proposed legislation at both the state and federal levels seek to mandate rear seat reminder systems in all new vehicles.
Remember: It takes only a few minutes for a car to become a death trap for a child. Always check your backseat, lock your car, and educate others. Together, we can save lives.Continue reading
BROOKSVILLE, FL – One teenager died and four others were injured when their car crashed in Hernando County Monday night, the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to details reported by WTSP, a 17-year-old boy was driving east on Tundra Drive in Brooksville when the accident took place shortly after 10 p.m. As he neared the intersection with Brookridge Central Boulevard the driver went off the road, where the car rotated and overturned.
The vehicle came to rest upright in a retention pond. One passenger, an 18-year-old woman who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. She was pronounced dead after being transported to an area hospital.
OCALA, FL – One person was killed and another injured in a collision at an intersection in Ocala early Sunday morning, police said.
In a post on Facebook, the Ocala Police Department said the crash occurred in the vicinity of SW College Road and SW 17th Street at about 1:37 a.m. An investigation indicated that the driver of an Audi was headed west on SW State Road 200 and trying to turn left onto SW 17th Street on an unprotected green light.
At the same time, the operator of a Harley Davidson was heading east in the inside lane of SW SR-200 and entering the intersection on a solid green light. As the Audi turned, it entered the path of the motorcycle and the vehicles collided. The motorcyclist, an 18-year-old Dunnellon man, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time, police said.
