Man delivering newspapers in The Villages struck by own van, suffers fatal fall, FHP says

76-year-old man did not place van in park, troopers say

File photo of Florida Highway Patrol cruiser (WJXT 2020)

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – A 76-year-old man delivering newspapers in The Villages suffered fatal injuries Sunday morning when he was struck by the door of a van he exited without placing it in park first, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The man, of Martinez, Georgia, was driving along Oak Bend Place when he stopped near Seven Oaks Lane and attempted to step out of the van around 5:45 a.m., troopers said. After the van began to move, one of its doors struck the man, causing him to fall to the ground, according to a crash report.

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The man suffered fatal injuries, troopers said. It was not detailed which direction the van rolled, or whether the man was pronounced dead at the scene or at a hospital.

No other details were shared.