COCOA, FL – In a harrowing turn of events, two surveyors lost their lives on Friday morning when a tractor-trailer struck them on the shoulder of Interstate 95 near Palm Bay. The driver, accused of fleeing the scene, was later apprehended in Palm Beach County and is now in custody in Brevard County.
The collision, occurring just before 10 a.m., left the two workers dead on-site. The suspect, after a brief pause, reportedly accelerated away from the scene, sparking a widespread search that concluded over 100 miles south.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers, utilizing witness statements and vehicle fragments left at the crash site, located the suspect’s vehicle in Palm Beach County. The driver was found still operating the truck, marking a significant breakthrough in the case.
An FHP representative emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, “Fleeing an accident scene, particularly one involving fatalities, is a serious crime that we are determined to prosecute.”
While the suspect has been uncooperative, the trucking company involved has shown willingness to aid the investigation, expressing sorrow over the tragic loss and promising full cooperation.
The surveyors, who were from a Volusia County firm, were performing standard duties and were positioned away from active traffic, making the incident all the more tragic.
The suspect, pending formal charges, is being held in Brevard County without the possibility of bond until a judicial review. Investigators are continuing their efforts to ascertain if intoxication played a role in the incident.
The accident has sent ripples of sorrow through the community, with many offering condolences and calling for increased awareness of roadside worker safety.