Video shows weaving Mustang cause fatal Interstate 75 crash, troopers say
The Florida Highway Patrol says a hit-and-run driver was captured on video as he caused a fatal crash on Interstate 75 in Manatee County Monday morning.
The crash happened at 6:28 a.m. near Exit 220 on I-75 South, according to FHP.
Video shared by the agency shows a Ford Mustang abruptly change lanes and collide with a Chevy Trailblazer, driven by a 63-year-old Palmetto man. The Chevy is then pushed over a lane in front of a tractor-trailer. The two vehicles collide, causing the tractor-trailer to overturn and fall across the interstate.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 34-year-old New Smyrna man, died in the collision, according to FHP.
All lanes of I-75 South were closed for several hours on Monday as emergency responders investigated the crash and cleaned up the interstate, causing significant traffic delays.
Video shows fatal interstate hit-and-run crash, FHP says
In the video, the Ford Mustang begins in an exit lane. The driver then merges right without using a signal to get in front of a different tractor-trailer and continues on the interstate.
The driver of the Mustang then changes lanes again, without a signal, and travels to the center lane before putting his blinker on and switching once more to the leftmost lane of the interstate.
At this point, brake lights are seen ahead of the Mustang as traffic slows. The driver of the Mustang slows as well, then abruptly changes lanes without a signal to move back into the center lane, which was occupied by the Chevy Trailblazer.
The front right of the Mustang then hits the front left of the Chevy. The Chevy is sent into the rightmost lane and strikes the cab of the tractor-trailer alongside the driver’s side door.
The tractor-trailer is then sent veering left across the interstate lanes and flips partially upside down in front of the Ford Mustang.
The driver of the Mustang comes to a brief stop before driving around the tractor-trailer, using the grass alongside the interstate to get by it, and then flees the scene.
Troopers look for hit-and-run driver
The crash remains under investigation, and troopers are asking for the public’s help to identify the hit-and-run driver. The agency said the driver is male, and witnesses told investigators he was wearing a gray hoodie at the time of the crash.
Anyone with information or video of the incident can contact FHP by dialing *347 or leave an anonymous tip with Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS or ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.
This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 5:50 PM.
