Palmetto man dies in fiery crash on U.S. 41, troopers say

A 48-year-old Palmetto man was killed Wednesday evening when his vehicle crashed with a box truck and caught on fire, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred at around 6:30 p.m., south of the intersection at U.S. 41 and 33rd Street West in Palmetto.

According to the crash report, the unidentified victim was traveling south on U.S. 41 through the curve in the highway as a 37-year-old Bradenton man driving the box truck was traveling north on the highway.

For unknown reasons, troopers say the victim lost control of his vehicle and crossed the median into the northbound travel lanes. The man’s car collided with the truck and both vehicles burst into flames.

The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries, according to troopers. The crash remains under investigation.