A 77-year-old man from Vermont tragically lost his life on Sunday, July 6, after attempting to save a turtle on Florida’s Interstate 95 during the Fourth of July weekend, according to multiple reports.
The man, who has not been publicly identified, was traveling through Indian River County when he spotted a turtle on the busy roadway shortly before 4:30 p.m., local time, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), as reported by WESH.
He pulled over on the right shoulder of the highway and began walking eastward across the southbound lanes in an effort to rescue the animal, according to Treasure Coast Newspapers.
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As he crossed the highway, a 2020 Mazda CX-9 in the center lane slowed to avoid hitting him, FOX 35 reported. However, a 2020 Dodge 3500 pickup truck behind the Mazda failed to brake in time and collided with the SUV.
The impact pushed the Mazda off the road and into a fence. Tragically, the man was then struck by the Dodge truck and thrown onto the left shoulder of the highway, the Miami Herald reported.
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He was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin was present when the accident occurred, according to reports.
No one in the other vehicles was injured. The Dodge was driven by a 53-year-old man from Port St. Lucie. The Mazda SUV was driven by a 44-year-old woman from Miami and had a 49-year-old male passenger, also from Miami.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the turtle involved was a gopher tortoise, a protected species in Florida.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the incident.
