A tragic crash in rural Taylor County, Florida, claimed the life of a passenger when an SUV spun out of control, overturned, and ejected him through the window, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reported. The incident occurred late at night on June 21, around 11 p.m., on U.S. 98/U.S. 19 near Athena Road, approximately 10 miles south of Perry.
The SUV, driven by a 44-year-old man from Cantonment, was traveling north when it suddenly veered off the road. The driver was accompanied by two passengers: a 48-year-old woman from Crestview and a 54-year-old man from Pensacola, who was sitting in the back seat. According to FHP, the vehicle left the roadway and traveled into the grassy median. As it rotated clockwise, the driver managed to bring the vehicle back onto the road before it veered off again.
This time, the SUV struck a utility pole, causing the vehicle to spin out of control and overturn. The force of the crash sent the 54-year-old Pensacola man through the window, ejecting him from the vehicle. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
While the passenger’s death is heart-wrenching, the driver and the other passenger, both of whom were wearing their seat belts, suffered only minor injuries. They were treated at the scene by paramedics from Century EMS and Taylor County Fire Rescue. Law enforcement personnel from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in handling the situation.
The collision caused a temporary closure of the northbound lanes of U.S. 98/U.S. 19, though the highway was reopened by the morning. The tragic loss of life has left the community reeling, with many wondering if the outcome could have been different had the passenger been wearing his seat belt. FHP continues to investigate the cause of the crash, but it stands as a somber reminder of the importance of seat belt use and the unpredictable dangers on Florida’s highways.
Though FHP refrains from naming victims in their news releases, the incident has sparked conversations about safety and the fragility of life, especially on rural stretches of road where crashes often have devastating consequences. The community, as well as the responders who worked tirelessly that night, now carry the weight of that tragic moment.
