One Dead In Crash On Florida’s Turnpike in Lake County

This past Sunday, an accident took place along the Lake County stretch of the Florida Turnpike that resulted in the death of one individual and the serious injury of three others. The Florida Highway Patrol issued a statement on the accident, and their words indicate that the crash resulted from a van suddenly leaving the highway and colliding with the rear of another car parked along the highway’s shoulder.

Jonathan Clark, a 29-year-old from Maryville, Tennessee, was a passenger in a 2017 Nissan Sentra when the car legally pulled off to the shoulder of the Turnpike for reasons that are not currently known. The driver of the Sentra was a 46-year-old woman from Tennessee. While they were sitting there, a Honda van approached from down the highway. This was around 8:30 in the evening. The driver of the Honda, a 78-year-old man from Summerfield, whether because he was distracted or for another reason, drove his van off the highway and onto the shoulder, where it collided at full speed with the rear of the Sentra. As a result of the powerful and sudden impact, the Sentra was thrown violently off its wheels.

Clark was the most badly injured in the accident and when the emergency response crews arrived they immediately rushed him to Leesburg Hospital. His injuries were extremely serious, and the Florida Highway Patrol reported that, despite the best efforts of the administering doctors, Clark died shortly after being admitted to the emergency ward.

The 46-year-old driver of the Sentra was also rushed to the hospital, although she was taken to Ocala Regional Hospital rather than Leesburg. At the time of her admittance, her injuries were deemed serious, although it is believed that she will survive. The 78-year-old man behind the wheel of the van and his 74-year-old female companion were badly injured in the crash as well. Both transported to Ocala Regional Hospital where they are currently undergoing treatment.

None of the current conditions of any of those involved in the crash, other than Clark, are currently known. The accident is still very much under investigation, and it is not known whether or not any charges have been filed against anyone involved.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.