This story was changed to say that the crash involved two vehicles instead of three.
FELLSMERE — An 87-year-old Vermont man was killed after being struck by a pickup while trying to rescue a turtle along the interstate on Sunday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Two vehicles initially collided before the truck hit the man.
The driver of the 2020 white Dodge 3500 pickup, a 53-year-old Port St. Lucie man, was not hurt. There were no injuries reported for the driver of the 2020 black Mazda CX-9 – a 44-year-old woman – or her passenger, a 49-year-old man, both of Miami.
The crash happened about 4:20 p.m. on southbound Interstate 95 near mile marker 157 in Fellsmere, highway troopers said. The wreckage site was north of County Road 512.
Troopers said the Dodge and Mazda were headed south in the center lane. The Mazda’s driver was ahead of the Dodge.
The pedestrian traveled east across the southbound lanes to try and retrieve the turtle, troopers said. The Mazda’s driver slowed down to prevent striking the man.
But, troopers said the Dodge’s driver failed to slow down in time and rear-ended the Mazda. The impact pushed the Mazda off the roadway to the right, where the vehicle entered the grass shoulder and struck a fence.
Troopers said the Dodge subsequently continued southbound and struck the man. The Dodge’s driver stopped the vehicle on the right shoulder.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to troopers.
Brevard County sheriff’s deputies closed the next northern exit to all southbound traffic. All lanes were reopened by Monday morning, troopers said.
This is the second fatal crash to occur on I-95 in Indian River County during the three-day Fourth of July holiday weekend. Highway troopers were investigating both incidents.
