LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – An 18-year-old woman driving an SUV on the Turnpike in Lake County was killed in a crash with a tow truck Saturday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 9:44 p.m., near mile marker 291, troopers said.
According to an FHP crash report, a 53-year-old Ocala man was driving a 2024 Hino tow truck southbound on the Turnpike — partially in the outside lane and the outside shoulder — as the 18-year-old Southwest Ranches woman drove a 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E southbound in the outside lane.
As the tow truck was merging from the outside shoulder to the outside lane in the direct path of the SUV, the front of the Ford struck the rear of the truck, the report states.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said, adding the man was not injured and did not leave. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts during the crash, according to the report.
FHP is still investigating.
Note: This map depicts the general area of this crash and not necessarily an exact location.