Manatee County, Florida — A tractor-trailer driver was killed on April 20, 2026, after a crash on Interstate 75 near State Road 64 in which one of the involved vehicles fled the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Lane Change Crash Sends SUV Into Tractor-Trailer
The crash happened at approximately 6:34 a.m. on I-75 at State Road 64. FHP reported that a black Ford Mustang was traveling southbound in the left lane when it changed into the center lane and struck a Chevrolet Trailblazer.
The impact forced the Trailblazer from its lane and into the path of a tractor-trailer. The tractor-trailer overturned and came to rest blocking all three travel lanes. Its driver, a 34-year-old man from New Smyrna Beach, was killed, as reported by Your Observer.
Mustang Driver Leaves the Scene
Authorities said the Mustang stopped briefly after the crash but then drove away southbound. FHP described the driver as a man wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and noted that the Mustang may have had video-recording equipment.
The driver of the Trailblazer, a 63-year-old man from Palmetto, sustained minor injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate and asked anyone with information or video to contact FHP or Crime Stoppers.
Hit-and-Run Evidence in Truck Crashes
When a passenger vehicle’s movement causes a crash involving a tractor-trailer, determining fault can require fast evidence collection. If the vehicle leaves the scene, surveillance footage, dashcam video, license plate readers, and witness statements become especially important.
Investigators may look at:
- Whether the Mustang made an unsafe lane change
- Whether the Trailblazer driver had any realistic chance to avoid the tractor-trailer
- Whether the tractor-trailer driver took evasive action before the rollover
- Dashcam, highway camera, or nearby business surveillance footage
- Physical damage patterns on all involved vehicles
Commercial truck rollovers can be deadly even when the truck driver is not the person who triggered the chain reaction. A full investigation helps families understand how the crash unfolded and who may be legally responsible.
Contact a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
If your family has lost someone in a Florida tractor-trailer crash, it is important to move quickly before video evidence disappears and witness memories fade.
An experienced Florida truck accident lawyer can investigate a hit-and-run truck crash, preserve key evidence, and fight for the compensation your family deserves. Contact a qualified attorney today for a free consultation.
