Executive Summary
- Fatal Incident: A 47-year-old man was killed early Sunday on I-75 North in Columbia County.
- Circumstances: FHP reports the victim was struck by a vehicle while lying in the roadway near mile marker 432.
- Status: An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing as authorities notify the next of kin.
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities are investigating a fatal traffic incident that occurred early Sunday morning on Interstate 75 in Columbia County involving a pedestrian in the roadway. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the collision took place in the northbound lanes near mile marker 432.
FHP investigators reported that a vehicle traveling north struck a 47-year-old man from Lakeland, Florida, who was observed lying in the roadway at the time of the impact. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, where the man was pronounced dead. The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Details regarding the driver of the vehicle involved were not immediately available in the preliminary report. Law enforcement officials have secured the area to conduct a reconstruction of the crash as part of standard procedure for fatal incidents on state highways.
Investigative Outlook
The Florida Highway Patrol is currently focusing its inquiry on establishing the timeline of events that led to the individual being positioned on the highway surface. Investigators are expected to review potential dashcam footage, witness statements, and toxicology results to determine if medical distress, vehicle disablement, or other factors contributed to the pedestrian’s presence in a high-speed lane. This case underscores the severe risks associated with pedestrian activity on limited-access interstates, a primary focus for state traffic safety enforcement.
