Fatal Crash in Manatee County
A tragic accident occurred in Manatee County on Saturday night when a pickup truck hit and killed a 64-year-old man in a wheelchair. The incident happened around 10:53 p.m. at the intersection of Pearl Avenue and U.S. 41.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the driver of a Ford F-250 truck was stopped at a traffic signal on Pearl Avenue, preparing to turn left onto U.S. 41. At the same time, the victim, a resident of Pinellas Park, was in the crosswalk attempting to cross the street.
As the truck driver turned left, the front of the vehicle collided with the man’s wheelchair, running him over. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 29-year-old man from Palmetto, and his 26-year-old female passenger from Bradenton were not injured.
The FHP’s Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The incident highlights the importance of road safety and vigilance, particularly for vulnerable road users like pedestrians in wheelchairs.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the accident.
