Two Truck Crash Takes Life of Apopka Man

ALACHUA ‒ The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) was called to the scene of a two-truck crash at 11:06 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29. The incident occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and County Road 235A in front of Santa Fe High School.

A dump truck, driven by a 73-year-old Apopka man was traveling east on U.S. Highway 441 in the left lane. A tractor-trailer, driven by a 58-year-old Nicholasville, Kentucky man, was traveling north in the left turn lane of CR 235A in preparation to turn onto U.S. Hwy 441.

The FHP report indicates that for unknown reason(s) the dump truck driver failed to stop for the red traffic signal and continued through the intersection. The front of his truck struck the front of the tractor-trailer. The sound of impact was heard as far as classrooms at Santa Fe High School.

After the initial collision, the dump truck overturned onto its left side. The tractor-trailer came to a final rest facing a southeast direction.

The Apopka dump truck driver was pronounced deceased on the scene by Alachua County Fire Rescue. The Kentucky tractor-trailer driver was transported to Shands in Gainesville with serious injuries.

It is unknown whether either driver was using a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Traffic was detoured around the crash site for hours as southbound lanes were blocked while authorities worked the scene.

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