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.
MARION COUNTY, FL – Authorities responded to the scene of a fatal pedestrian accident in Marion County on Friday morning.
According to the Ocala StarBanner, the collision occurred along Maricamp Road at about 5:30 a.m. A woman was struck and killed by a work truck going east on the roadway. No details were released on the victim’s identity.
The Florida Highway Patrol and Marion County Sheriff’s Office handled the crash response and investigation. The incident closed off a stretch of Maricamp Road, with traffic diverted onto Spring Lake Road and Emerald Road.
HUDSON, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol has released details of a fatal motorcycle accident in Pasco County, WFTS reports.
The crash, involving a motorcycle and another vehicle, occurred at an intersection in Hudson on Saturday afternoon.
According to the FHP, the rider of a Harley Davidson motorcycle was going north on Woodbine Drive behind a GMC Sierra that was towing a boat. When the GMC driver tried to turn left at the intersection with Powderhorn Row, the motorcyclist tried to pass the vehicle and collided with it.
May is Motorcycle Safety Month, a time dedicated to promoting the safety and awareness of motorcycle riders on our roads.
Detailed Statistics
Motorcycle crash statistics in Florida paint a concerning picture of the risks involved for motorcyclists in the state. Here is an overview of recent data and trends:
LAKE COUNTY, FL – A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle in Lake County early Wednesday morning, WKMG reported.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the victim was a 26-year-old man who was standing in the middle of State Road 40 when the incident happened at about 4 a.m.
A woman driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee was heading west on SR-40 and approaching Blue Creek Lodge Road when she saw the pedestrian and tried to swerve to avoid him. But the vehicle struck the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred in Pasco County on Monday night, reports Pasco News Online.
The FHP stated the victim was a man who was walking on Wells Road near Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel. After entering the roadway, he was struck by a westbound Ford Mustang.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not immediately released. The Ford driver, a Wesley Chapel woman, was not injured in the crash.
MARION COUNTY, FL – A single-vehicle accident in Marion County on Sunday morning claimed the life of an elderly driver, according to a WKMG report.
The crash happened on southbound NW 80th Avenue near NW 100th Street. The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation found a man was driving a pickup truck that was pulling a utility trailer when he drove off the road at about 10:20 a.m. The vehicle collided with a tree on the east shoulder of the roadway.
The driver, an 82-year-old man from Ocala, died at the scene.
