Fatal Collision on Orange County Turnpike

A crash in Orange County on Sunday night cost two individuals their lives as they were making their way along the Florida Turnpike.  The incident took place close to 9:00 in the evening and happened right around where the Turnpike crosses over State Road 429.  According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, the individuals involved were David Howard and Michelle Green, both of whom were residents of Clermont.  An investigation into the crash is currently underway, however the initial statement from the authorities outlines the majority of known information.

The 39-year-old David Howard was driving his PT Cruiser along the southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike.  In the car beside him was the 41-year-old Michelle Green.  As the car progressed towards State Road 429, Howard seemingly lost control of the vehicle.  This resulted in the PT Cruiser leaving the road and entering the shoulder of the Turnpike.  At this time, an empty trailer was sitting on the road near the spot where Howard’s Cruiser left the designated lanes.

The Cruiser sped towards the trailer, its trajectory going unstopped by Howard.  It is not clear from the report whether or not witnesses to the scene—if there were witnesses—say that it seemed as though Howard was attempting to regain control of the vehicle or if it looked as though the car was driving unobstructed towards the trailer.  Either way, the Cruiser collided with the back end of the trailer still traveling at Turnpike speeds.

The Cruiser was badly damaged in the crash and emergency response crews had to wrestle their way through twisted metal and broken glass to reach the two individuals inside of the car.  When the paramedics were able to access Howard and Green, the full extent of the crash’s destruction was made clear: the intensity of the collision was far more than either of their bodies could handle, and both Green and Howard, each of whom were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident, were reported as being dead at the scene.

No further details pertaining to the crash were supplied by the authorities.

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.