Villages Man Killed in Beer Truck Collision

A 90-year-old resident of The Villages was killed and a woman was critically injured Tuesday afternoon after their car was struck by a tractor-trailer on County Road 25 at Southeast 115th Avenue.

The man died instantly and the 54-year-old woman was taken by helicopter to Ocala Regional Medical Center in critical condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A witness told FHP troopers that the man’s Honda Accord was headed north on 115th Avenue and, after crossing CR 25, made a U-turn and was headed back across the highway. It drove into the path of the beer truck and was T-boned on the driver's side.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene by a Marion County Fire Rescue paramedic. The female passenger had to be extricated from the car.

At the scene, the truck driver, a 46-year-old Ocala man, did not appear to be injured. According to reports, the truck was empty, and the driver had been on his way to a warehouse.

Troopers took blood from the driver, as is customary in crashes involving serious injury or death.

While there are many situations that can contribute to a t-bone truck crash, most cases can be attributed to driver error, especially when it comes to intersection crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 96 percent of intersection accidents are caused by driver negligence.

Truck drivers must adhere to certain federal and state safety regulations, in addition to the rules of the road in order to prevent tragic accidents. Sadly, not all truck drivers practice safety on the road, and their recklessness can result in t-bone collisions. The most common causes t-bone crashes are:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Running a light or a stop sign
• Failing to yield right of way
• Turning left into the side of another vehicle
• Inadequate maintenance

Following a t-bone truck collision, it is very important to consult with a Villages Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton so that we can get started on our own investigation before the trucking company’s agents interfere with potential evidence. For a free consultation with us, please call us today at 352-369-5334 or contact us online.