A late-night walk ended in tragedy Friday when a pedestrian was fatally struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of French Avenue and 27th Street in Sanford, according to police.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene shortly after 11 p.m. The pedestrian was taken to a nearby hospital, where medical staff later pronounced the person dead. Police said the driver of the truck stayed at the scene while officers and rescue crews worked to secure the area.
Sanford Police told WESH that the pedestrian was hit by a Chevy Silverado at the crossing, with the first call about the crash coming in around 11 p.m. The victim’s name and age have not been released.
The deadly collision comes against a grim backdrop for people on foot in Central Florida. The Orlando–Sanford–Kissimmee metro has repeatedly landed near the top of national rankings for dangerous walking conditions, according to Bike/Walk Central Florida. Statewide, Florida also ranks near the top for pedestrian fatalities.
In response to those troubling trends, the Florida Department of Transportation has been rolling out safety upgrades such as pedestrian hybrid beacons and improved crossings in an effort to reduce deaths, Spectrum News reports.
Crash under investigation
Sanford Police told WESH that detectives are still working the case and processing evidence from the crash scene. Officials have not released any further information about the victim or what may have led up to the collision.
No arrests or charges have been reported as the investigation continues.
