The Florida Highway Patrol says a dump truck that suffered a medical emergency struck 13 vehicles at the Fruitville Road and Tatum Road intersection in Sarasota on Dec. 17 just before 8 a.m. Two people were taken to nearby hospitals with non-incapacitating injuries. A witness driving her child to school described a loud crunch as the truck barreled through stopped cars. Trooper Ken Watson said the damage extended roughly 350–400 feet and investigators are still piecing together what happened.
Dump Truck Plows Into 13 Vehicles at Sarasota Intersection After Driver’s Medical Emergency; Two Injured
GettyA Florida Highway Patrol state trooper vehicle.
Authorities say a dump truck that experienced a medical emergency slammed into a line of stopped cars at an intersection on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Dec. 17, injuring two people and causing widespread damage.
What Happened
Just before 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Dec. 17, a dump truck traveling east on Fruitville Road approached the intersection at Tatum Road in Sarasota when the driver suffered a medical incident and lost control, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said. The out-of-control truck plowed into 13 vehicles that were stopped at a red light.
Witness Accounts
“All of us vehicles were sitting at the red light for Tatum Road, and all of a sudden, I heard this crunching sound,” said witness Hannah Moore, who was driving her child to school. “I turned to look out the window, and the dump truck was just barreling through the car.”
Injuries and Damage
Emergency responders transported at least two people to nearby hospitals with non-incapacitating injuries, the FHP said. Trooper Ken Watson described the scene as having extensive destruction, estimating the damage stretched roughly 350 to 400 feet along the roadway.
Investigation Underway
Authorities said the crash appears to have been triggered by a medical event and could not have been foreseen. Investigators from the Florida Highway Patrol are working to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the full circumstances surrounding the driver's medical condition and the collision.
Trooper Watson urged drivers to maintain situational awareness but noted that collisions caused by sudden medical emergencies are uncommon. No criminal charges have been reported, and the investigation remains ongoing.
