A 22-year-old Bradenton man was killed early Friday after his 2025 Hyundai Kona rear-ended a 1996 Honda Civic on northbound I-75 near mile marker 215, according to state troopers. After the collision, the Kona veered off the highway and hit a tree, and emergency crews pronounced the driver dead at the scene. The Honda's driver, a woman from Parrish, and her 24-year-old Bradenton passenger had only minor injuries.
Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol told Tampa Bay 28 the crash happened just before 12:30 a.m. on July 10 around mile marker 215. Investigators say the front of the Hyundai struck the rear of the Honda, sending the Hyundai off the road and into a tree. The Bradenton driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman from Parrish and her passenger were treated for minor injuries.
Where The Crash Happened
The wreck unfolded along I-75 near the University Parkway and mile marker 215 area, a heavily traveled stretch for commuters and commercial traffic in Manatee County. This corridor has seen its share of trouble lately, including an April multi-vehicle crash that flipped a tractor-trailer and killed one person, according to the Bradenton Herald. When serious crashes hit this part of the interstate, traffic officials often shut down lanes so troopers can investigate and crews can clear the scene.
Investigation Under Way
Florida Highway Patrol troopers are still piecing together what led up to Friday's collision and have not released additional information, according to Tampa Bay 28. Officials are asking anyone who saw the crash or has video from the area to contact FHP or local law enforcement. Drivers in the vicinity should plan for lingering delays as investigators and cleanup crews wrap up their work.
