A serious accident in Sarasota has claimed three lives and shut down a portion of Interstate 75, according to local sources. Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed the deaths of three men, with a fourth in critical condition. As with many car accidents, the cause is unclear and police are still investigating. They are asking the support of the community in determining what caused the tragedy.
According to the limited information available in the report, it appears the accident involved at least four SUVs, a cement truck, a passenger car and a sports car. Police say the drivers of two of the SUVs were on the side of the northbound lanes of I-75 attempting to fix a flat tire when they were struck by a third SUV. It is unclear at this time how the cement mixer and the sports car became involved.
As a result of the accident, a 50-year-old cement truck driver from Sarasota was pronounced dead, as were at 24-year-old man and a 53-year-old man. Apparently the 53-year-old was the one changing the tire. Police have not commented publicly on what they believe caused the crash, but they have not ruled out driver error, negligence, recklessness or even intoxication at this point.
Car accidents that claim lives are always tragic to those left behind. In this case, one or more drivers might face criminal charges if the Florida police investigation shows culpability on their parts. Separate from any criminal hearing, the families of the deceased as well as the surviving injured parties are entitled to file wrongful death and/or personal injury lawsuits in civil court against any party deemed materially responsible for the crash.