ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—A Groveland man and a tow truck driver are both dead following a crash on Florida’s Turnpike early Thursday morning as Hurricane Nicole made its way across Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
An FHP trooper and a tow truck were working a single-vehicle crash, facing southbound on the inside shoulder, around 5:45 a.m. Thursday; the tow truck, being driven by a 42-year-old Poinciana man, was parked in front of the marked cruiser and both vehicles had their emergency lights activated, near mile marker 266, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release.
A Groveland man, 53, was driving 2000 Isuzu Hombre southbound on Florida’s Turnpike when he lost control and swerved for an unknown reason near the original crash scene. The Hombre struck the right rear of the tow truck and then struck the tow truck driver, who was standing outside truck, killing him, Crescenzi said. The driver of the Hombre was also pronounced dead on the scene.
A passenger in the Hombre, a 51-year-old Clermont man, was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
