Man killed crossing I-4 after initially surviving crash; troopers search for driver
The Brief
After surviving an early morning crash on I-4 in Osceola County, a 23-year-old man was hit and killed while trying to cross the highway.
Troopers believe two vehicles hit him—and now they're trying to locate one driver who fled the scene.
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A 23-year-old man who initially survived a crash on Interstate 4 in Osceola County died Monday morning after troopers said he got out of the car and attempted to cross multiple lanes of traffic where he was struck by two vehicles.
Now, troopers are searching for one of the drivers who left the scene after the incident.
What we know
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the initial crash occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-4 at the exit ramp to U.S. 192 in Kissimmee.
A 2024 Kia Forte failed to navigate a right-hand curve, lost control, hit a guardrail, went airborne, struck a tree and a barrier wall, and then overturned.
Both occupants of the Kia – two 23-year-old men – were able to get out of the vehicle after the crash. Troopers said the driver walked to a nearby hotel to seek help and was later taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The passenger reportedly walked northeast, crossing the eastbound lanes of I-4, the median, and then entered the westbound lanes. There, he was struck by a 2024 Honda Odyssey.
Investigators believe a second vehicle may have also hit the man as he lay in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Honda was not injured and remained at the scene.
What we don't know
Troopers did not immediately reveal a description of the second vehicle they believe hit the man.
What's next
Authorities are still working to determine the exact sequence of events.
What you can do
Anyone with information is urged to contact FHP at 407-737-2213 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV
The Source
This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Highway Patrol on May 26, 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tacoma Tideflats crash that killed 6 prompts lawsuit that warnings went ignored
The mother of one of six young people killed in a 2023 crash on Tacoma's Tideflats claims in a recently filed lawsuit that the intersection where the wreck occurred was long known to be dangerous and officials failed to make it safer. Javan Runnels, 22, was one of six victims — all in town from Arizona for an Amway convention — traveling in a Kia Forte that ran a red light on southbound Alexander Avenue before it was struck by a BMW SUV that had driven through a yellow light on eastbound State Route 509, authorities said. A seventh person in the Kia suffered serious injuries in the July 16, 2023, crash, which was the state's deadliest in more than two decades. Two people in the BMW were uninjured, according to Pierce County prosecutors, who later determined there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges related to the wreck. The intersection had been the site of previous crashes and issues with vehicles running red lights and speeding due to flawed road and traffic design, giving officials at least a decade's notice that there were problems, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed May 27 by Runnels' mother, Lisa Campbell. Authorities had said the Kia was traveling between 36 and 41 mph and steadily accelerating at the moment of impact. The BMW was going between 50 to 66 mph at the time of the crash but vehicle data showed its speed was 80 mph five seconds before the collision, according to authorities. The speed limit on the highway is 50 mph. The suit, lodged in Pierce County Superior Court, cast liability on five governments and agencies described collectively as 'Road Defendants': the city of Tacoma, the state of Washington, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Tacoma Rail and the Port of Tacoma. 'Due to excessive speed limits, insufficient signage, limited visibility and poor road design, implementation, operation and control of the Alexander Avenue intersection, it posed a hazard which caused drivers to unintentionally run red traffic lights,' the suit said. 'The Alexander Avenue intersection posed a foreseeable hazard which Road Defendants could have avoided or mitigated, yet chose not to.' Representatives for each of the five defendants declined to comment on the complaint, citing practices of not publicly addressing pending litigation. The lawsuit was not unexpected after attorneys representing Campbell filed claims with the city and state for $20 million in September 2023 — a precursor to a formal legal complaint. It's the second known lawsuit filed over the deadly crash. The parents of 19-year-old Cerra Corner sued WSDOT, the city of Tacoma and the Port of Tacoma in June 2024, citing nearly identical allegations. That suit said that state and local officials studied and discussed re-designing the intersection years before the wreck. Defendants have denied wrongdoing in that lawsuit, which was ongoing as of Tuesday, court records show. Attorney Anthony Marsh, who's representing Campbell in the complaint lodged by her personally and on behalf of her son's estate, said that he saw defendants' arguments denying responsibility as tantamount to 'hot potato between various government entities' that underscored why the crash happened. 'It's just a really tragic set of circumstances where if there's any sort of ability for a government agency to push the responsibility to somebody else, they typically will, with foreseeable consequences like in this case,' Marsh said in an interview Tuesday. The complaint by Runnels' mother accused the 'Road Defendants' of managing the intersection so that Tacoma Rail's activities took precedence over traffic flow. It also suggested that a large interchange installed to address similar issues at the state highway's intersection with Port of Tacoma Road, west of Alexander Avenue, had exacerbated problems at Alexander Avenue, which hadn't received comparable changes. State Route 509 crosses Alexander Avenue at two nearby intersections: One for eastbound traffic on the highway and another for westbound vehicles. Both are currently expected to be reworked as part of a stage of WSDOT's $376 million 167 Completion Project. The stage is anticipated to be completed next year. The plan is to reduce the intersections to one crossing controlled by a single set of traffic lights and replace 'signal ahead' signs with 'Prepare to Stop When Flashing' signs in both directions of State Route 509. Flashing beacons on the signs will activate as the traffic signal prepares to change from green to yellow, according to WSDOT. The recently filed lawsuit also names several other defendants, including the two occupants of the BMW, the representative for Kia driver Lisa Esparza's estate, and the lone passenger in the Kia who survived the crash and allegedly had rented the vehicle. The suit seeks unspecified damages to be proven at trial, legal fees and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Families to announce lawsuit after deadly Halloween shooting in downtown Orlando
The Brief The families of two men killed in a 2024 Halloween shooting in downtown Orlando are expected to file a lawsuit against the city, police, and event organizers for alleged negligence. The shooting left 10 victims—two dead, seven shot, and one trampled—amid a crowd of up to 100,000 people. Suspect Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, remains in jail and faces murder charges. ORLANDO, Fla. - The families of two men killed when a teenage gunman opened fire on crowds celebrating Halloween in downtown Orlando last year are seeking to file a lawsuit. The parents of 19-year-old Timothy Schmidt Jr. and 25-year-old Tyrek Hill are scheduled to hold a joint news conference with attorneys Michael Haggard and Douglas McCarron – who represent victims of gun violence – at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday. It will mark the first public statement by Schmidt's parents since their son's death. WATCH LIVE: FOX 35 News will stream the news conference in the video player at the top of this page. Dig deeper They plan to file a lawsuit against the City of Orlando, the Orlando Police Department, and several businesses and event organizers involved in the 2024 Halloween celebrations. The families allege negligence in crowd control, security planning, and overall public safety during one of the city's largest annual events. They are seeking justice, accountability and systemic change to prevent similar tragedies in the future. RELATED | Remembering the victims in the downtown Orlando shooting The backstory Shortly after 1 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2024, a shooting occurred near Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard, sending people running and yelling throughout downtown Orlando. Minutes later, the alleged suspect opened fire near Orange Avenue and Washington Street, feet from a group of Orlando police officers and people milling around downtown. Within moments, the suspect is tackled to the ground and detained. Surveillance video and bodycamera video show the moment the suspect fired his gun, and the moment he was tackled by authorities. The Orlando Police Department said between 50,000 and 100,000 people were downtown at the time of the shooting. Nearly 100 officers were already downtown in anticipation of the busy holiday weekend. The shooting resulted in 10 victims: two were killed, seven others were injured by gunfire, and one was trampled. The victims ranged in age between 18 and 39. What we know Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, has remained in the Orange County Jail since the shooting on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Police said Edgar was armed with a handgun, though it wasn't clear how he came into possession of the weapon. He did not appear to visit any bars, clubs, or businesses downtown. A motive in the shooting is not known. He has a status hearing scheduled for August 25 at 9 a.m., Orange County court records show. He will be tried as an adult. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the attorneys representing the parents of Tyrek Hill and Timothy Schmidt Jr on June 3, 2025. Additional details regarding the shooting was previously shared by the Orlando Police Department.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Milwaukee shootings Monday, 4 wounded in 3 separate incidents
The Brief Milwaukee police are investigating three separate shootings that occurred on Monday, June 2. The circumstances leading up to the shootings are under investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360. MILWAUKEE - Four people were wounded in three separate shooting incidents in Milwaukee on Monday, June 2. What we know According to the Milwaukee Police Department, at about 8:55 p.m. a 28-year-old sustained gunshot wounds and was transported to the hospital. Milwaukee police are looking for whoever is responsible for the shooting. What we know Police are investigating another shooting that happened at approximately 9:45 p.m., at an unknown location. The victim, a 21-year-old, sustained gunshot wounds and arrived at the hospital for treatment. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation. Police are seeking an unknown shooter. What we know Around 10:19 p.m. two people were shot. Victim #1, a 24-year-old, was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries. Victim #2, a 19-year-old, arrived at the hospital for treatment of injuries. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation; however, there appears to have been an exchange of gunfire between both victims and additional unknown suspects. The 24-year-old and the 19-year-old were taken into custody. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Milwaukee police continue to seek additional unknown suspects. Charges are pending review by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. What you can do Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips. The Source The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department.
