A 67-year-old Road Ranger from Fort Pierce died after being struck by a SUV while assisting a disabled car on I-95 North in Port St. Lucie.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) stated that at around 3:40 a.m. on Saturday, the Road Ranger was assisting a Dodge Charger that had pulled over on the left shoulder on I-95 North near Mile Marker 124. According to the report, a Nissan Murano, driven by a 28-year-old man from Royal Palm Beach, approached the scene, the driver veered off the roadway, crashing into the Ranger and the rear right of his truck.
The impact also caused the Nissan to collide with the Dodge Charger, FHP said. The Road Ranger was pronounced dead at the scene by officials.
“It’s very sad to say this happens every single day. In every county, within Florida,” Lt. Indiana Miranda of Florida Highway Patrol Troop L told CBS12 News on Tuesday. “Crashes like this can be 100% avoidable by simply just slowing down the speed when you see those hazard lights.
Florida’s Move Over law
Florida Highway Patrol is now raising alarm about a state law often ignored by drivers, that would keep everyone safe during these situations.
“A lot of people still till this day, in 2024, don’t know what Move Over is. It’s a major statue for us in the State of Florida,” Lt. Miranda said. “We have lost troopers. We have lost civilians on the side of the road.
The law, which was enacted in 2022, expanded this year to reduce fatalities and ensure the safety of first responders. When you spot any vehicle on the side, with hazard lights on, it’s the law to give them space. Drivers must move over to the next lane, or slow down to 20 miles under the speed limit.
According to recent FHP data, there were 170 crashes and more than 14,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over in Florida.
Meantime, authorities are currently conducting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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Source: cbs12
