HomeTraffic incidentsWellborn man hit and killed while walking on I-75 near Archer Road

Wellborn man hit and killed while walking on I-75 near Archer Road

December 14, 2023

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 50-year-old Wellborn man was hit by a truck and killed this afternoon while walking on I-75, just north of Archer Road.

At about 4:45 p.m. today, a semi tractor/trailer traveling northbound on I-75, just north of Archer Road, hit a pedestrian; the man was pronounced deceased after being taken to an emergency room. The truck driver, a 25-year-old Tallahassee man, and his passenger did not suffer any injuries.

The crash is still under investigation.

  • Why on earth would someone be “walking” on the side of I -75?
    My heart goes out to the guys family.
    The guy may have had a car break down, and was walking to get help.
    There very well may be legitimate reasoning for walking up the north bound ramp onto I-75.
    However, I have a sneaking suspicion…..
    A theory if you will, and again, I could very well be wrong.
    So we all know those panhandlers….
    Right?
    We’ve seen them for a few years now.
    They venture up and down the on and off ramps, standing on their feet for 6 – 8 hrs a day, Monday thru Sunday on most medians at most major intersections throughout our city.
    So if the “pickins” we’re not so good at the Archer northbound ramp, then relocate further North where the “pickins” are better.
    So if it is proven, or “released” that the guy was a member of Gainesville’s homeless community,
    Then his family could potentially have a case.
    COG made it Legitimately Legal to panhandle at those locations.
    So if the deceased fits the criteria for homelessness, and The Gainesville City Commission has in fact “ok’d” this panhandling, (and they have) the next logical step then,,,
    would be to hold the COG Commission liable for damages, for allowing this dangerous situation to get this far out of control.
    That is just my personal theory.
    I think somebody needs to call Morgan and Morgan.
    I could very well be wrong about all this, I heard about this on a scanner as it was unfolding.
    I still believe that COG runs their show very much like Boeing.
    After a bunch of people die in a plane crash,
    Then Boeing makes changes.
    Never before.
    Because what we “produce” is a safe atmosphere for all.

      • The property on an Interstate right of way is state owned. The COG politicians have no lawful authority to make laws governing it. IMO.

    • If your “theory” is correct, lawsuit would be frivolous because from what I remember, walking along interstates and vehicles with inadequate horsepower are prohibited.

    • No his truck broke down more then likely he was trying to get help he worked alot worked his ass off this is his x wife we me and his kids found out last night after I got home from work we have for kids together and 5 grandsons he was definitely definitely not a panhandler

    • The person killed was my son. He had broke down a south of Archer exit. He was walking north with his dog. He lived in Wellborn.
      Was not a panhandler.

  • With the recent ruling by the Florida Supreme Court, news outlets like Alachua Chronicle should be insisting FHP return to its previous practice of releasing names of accident victims.

    • Well, you know that the Sun won’t do it. Not when they are again running headlines about COVID! The best thing about the Sun? When they stopped running mugshots, I found the Chronicle!

  • See, if that dude was homeless then there it is.
    And if the COG Commission don’t act, then it’s gonna happen again and again and again.

  • He definitely was not homeless he lives in Florida his kids and I live in Columbus he was driving his truck and something went wrong with the truck I believe he worked a lot

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