A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries Tuesday night after a pickup truck struck the rear of the trooper’s patrol vehicle in an active construction zone on State Road 429, authorities said.
The collision occurred at approximately 9:12 p.m. on October 27 in the southbound lanes of SR-429 near mile marker 6 in the Bay Lake area of Orange County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2026 Toyota Tundra was travelling southbound when its driver failed to move over for a marked patrol vehicle working in a construction zone where a lane closure was in effect. The front of the pickup struck the rear of the patrol car.
The impact left both the trooper and the pickup truck’s driver seriously injured.
Trooper airlifted to hospital
Emergency responders transported the injured trooper by air ambulance to HCA Florida Osceola Hospital for treatment. The trooper was reported to be in stable condition following the crash, despite sustaining serious injuries.
The driver of the Toyota Tundra, a 53-year-old man from Davenport, was taken to Celebration Hospital with serious injuries, according to authorities.
Officials had not released the names of either person involved in the collision in the initial reports.
Crash occurred in active construction zone
The crash happened while the trooper’s patrol vehicle was positioned in an active work zone associated with a lane closure. Investigators said the pickup driver did not move over for the marked patrol car before the collision.
The incident prompted a traffic response on SR-429 as authorities worked at the scene. Motorists travelling through the area were advised to exercise caution.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, and officials have not released additional details about the sequence of events.
Authorities remind drivers of Move Over law
Following the collision, the Florida Highway Patrol reminded motorists of Florida’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to move over a lane when approaching certain stopped emergency, service, utility or disabled vehicles when it is safe to do so.
If changing lanes is unsafe, drivers must slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
The law is designed to reduce the risk of collisions involving roadside workers and emergency personnel who may be exposed to moving traffic while assisting motorists or responding to incidents.
Investigation continues
The crash highlights the dangers faced by troopers and other emergency personnel working along busy highways, particularly in construction zones where traffic patterns may be altered and lanes restricted.
Authorities have not announced any further enforcement action related to the collision. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to establish the full circumstances that led to the patrol vehicle being struck.
The trooper’s condition was reported as stable after being airlifted for treatment. Further updates may be released as investigators obtain additional information.
