17-year-old killed, two seriously injured in Union County crash
Staff report
UNION COUNTY, Fla. – A 17-year-old male from Lake Butler was killed this afternoon in a crash on State Road 121, and a 30-year-old Lake Butler man and a 38-year-old Gainesville man were seriously injured.
According to a release from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), at about 3:30 p.m. on February 27, the 30-year-old man was driving a pickup truck southbound on State Road 121 behind an SUV driven by the 17-year-old. The SUV slowed to make a left turn near SW 79th Trail, and the driver of the pickup hit the rear of the SUV, forcing it into oncoming traffic.
A semi truck driven by the Gainesville man was traveling northbound on State Road 121; it collided with the right side of the SUV and then rolled over, blocking both lanes.
The pickup truck caught fire, and the 30-year-old Lake Butler man was transported to a hospital with serious injuries; the release states that troopers do not know whether he was wearing a seatbelt.
The 17-year-old driver of the SUV was pronounced deceased at the scene.; he was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the semi truck was transported to a hospital with serious injuries; he was wearing a seatbelt.
The crash is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Tragic. No one should lose their life because of something that likely was preventable. I hope they’re able to determine what circumstances caused the 30-year old to slam into the 17-year old.
Another distracted driver?
My thoughts and prayers are with this family. I am not sure what the driver of the pick up was doing, but all I do know is everyone needs to slow down and pay attention to the road and traffic around you. I live on hwy 121 in Lake Butler and it has become a speedway. There are so many semis that travel 121 going from Jax to the distribution warehouses in Alachua. The rock truck semis travel 121 all day as well. Please slow down so that everyone’s family make it home every day.
The crash reconstructionist should make certain counsel subpoenas the cell phone records.
FHP is very through with fatality accidents. They’ll get to the bottom of it.
He had to be drunk or high because how did he not see this guy turning
Don’t know but there’s probably more crashes related to cell phones and pharmaceuticals than alcohol and weed these days. Condolences to his friends and family!
Almost all traffic crashes are preventable minus nature’s (animal/weather)interference or mechanical issues. Most mechanical issue crashes are also preventable. Human decision whether it be DUI, cell phone use, driving on suspended drivers license, reckless driving, road rage, asleep at the wheel, fail to use turn signals, etc are all choices drivers make. Unfortunely those decisions and choices lead to tragic results.
I almost died in 1980 because someone failed to yield the Right of Way, a 17 y/o lost his life turning when someone behind Him, Following Too Closely, Not paying attention hit the Innocent Victim from behind sending him to certain Death because someone was In a Hurry or Too Distracted to Deserve to be a Licensed Driver
I worked with the 17 year old and he was a most awesome person. Everyone who worked with him us so sad and heartbroken. We all are praying for peace and understanding and comfort for his family above all else. Rest in peace, we’ll see you on the other side some sweet day.