FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A crash on Florida's Turnpike claimed the life of a 66-year-old Miami man Sunday morning, causing lane closures in St. Lucie County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the incident occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m. near mile marker 166. Currently, only the left northbound lane is open, and drivers should anticipate significant delays.
FHP reported that the victim was driving a 2027 Freightliner M2 box truck when, for reasons under investigation, the vehicle partially entered the outside shoulder. It then re-entered the lanes, overturned, and struck a guardrail, coming to rest on its roof.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:43 a.m., with his identity withheld pending notification of next of kin. A 31-year-old Miami passenger was transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce and is in stable condition.
The FHP is conducting a Traffic Homicide Investigation into the incident.