BREVARD COUNTY, FL — A 20-year-old Palm Bay woman was killed early Monday after a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 95 in Brevard County that began when a Mercedes struck an alligator on the roadway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the crash happened south of State Road 50 near mile marker 214.5, shortly before midnight Sunday. The woman was driving a Toyota Tacoma southbound behind the Mercedes when she swerved to avoid it, lost control and overturned. She was ejected from the pickup, landed in the center lane and was then hit by another vehicle that left the scene.
FHP says Mercedes driver hit the alligator first
Florida Highway Patrol said the first vehicle involved was a Mercedes-Benz E-350 driven by a 58-year-old man from Canada. He was traveling south in the center lane when he saw the alligator on the interstate and could not avoid it. The front of his car struck the animal, setting off the collision that followed.
Troopers said the Mercedes driver was not hurt and stayed at the scene. Investigators have not said how large the alligator was or how it ended up on I-95. The crash scene involved multiple southbound lanes near the state road interchange, a stretch of highway where higher speeds and limited reaction time can make avoidance difficult once a hazard appears in the roadway.
Palm Bay woman was ejected after losing control of pickup
FHP said the woman was driving behind the Mercedes in a Toyota Tacoma when she swerved to avoid the vehicle after the impact with the alligator. Troopers said she lost control, the pickup overturned, and she was thrown from the truck.
According to investigators, she was not wearing a seatbelt. Troopers said she landed in the center lane of I-95 and was struck by an unknown vehicle. The driver of that vehicle did not remain at the scene, and no description of the vehicle has been released. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crash remains under investigation as troopers seek witnesses
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash and has asked anyone who saw it or has information to come forward. Witnesses can contact FHP at *347 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Details released so far show a fast-moving sequence: a wildlife strike, a sudden evasive maneuver, a rollover, ejection and a hit-and-run. Troopers have not said whether the driver who fled has been identified. They also have not said whether charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Roadway hazards involving animals are not uncommon in Florida, but this crash turned deadly after multiple vehicles became involved in the same stretch of interstate traffic.
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