Distracted Driving May Have Caused Fatal Crash involving Publix Tractor-trailer

According to Local 10, a man sustained fatal injuries following a collision with an 18-wheeler in Pinecrest, Florida, on Tuesday morning.

Details of the Fatal Crash

A man in a BMW traveled north on U.S. Highway 1 at around 5:00 a.m. local time near Southwest 148^th Street in Palmetto Bay. The driver collided with a Publix tractor-trailer delivery truck as it pulled onto the highway.

Police say the man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, reports Local 10. Officials say a cellphone was found near the victim’s hand, hinting at a potential case of distracted driving. In addition, a passenger in the BMW suffered from injuries and received treatment at Jackson South Community Hospital.

The driver of the Publix semi was not injured in the crash, but witnesses said the driver seemed shaken from the incident.

Local 10 says the crash is still under investigation.

Distracted Driving Accident Statistics

The following information is provided by Distraction.gov and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• 3,154 people died in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2013.
  • Ten percent of all fatal crashes involved a distracted driver.
• In 2013, 424,000 people sustained injuries in motor vehicle traffic wrecks involving a distracted driver.
• Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting – when traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded.