An early Tuesday drive in Manatee County turned deadly when a 61-year-old Palmetto woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 43rd Street West and 21st Avenue West. Emergency crews pronounced her dead at the scene. The driver of the other SUV suffered serious injuries, and a one-year-old passenger was treated for minor injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 6:50 a.m. as the Palmetto woman headed north on 43rd Street West and failed to stop at a stop sign. Her SUV collided with another SUV that had entered the intersection from 21st Avenue West, the agency told Tampa Bay 28.
As reported by WWSB, the 61-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The station said the other driver, a 31-year-old Bradenton woman, suffered serious injuries, while a one-year-old passenger had minor injuries.
Intersection flagged in county safety plan
The crash happened at a junction already on Manatee County's radar. The county's traffic-safety plan lists the intersection of 43rd Street West and 21st Avenue West on its high-injury network, logging 34 crashes there between 2018 and 2023 and an EPDO score of 910, according to Manatee County. The listing underscores that this unsignalized crossing has been the site of repeated serious collisions.
Investigation continues
Troopers say the crash remains under investigation, according to Tampa Bay 28. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol's local office.
