What You Need to Know
- A 24-year-old FDOT Road Ranger was killed while setting up a lane closure on I-75 in Pasco County.
- Florida Highway Patrol arrested the driver accused of striking him on a DUI manslaughter charge.
- Florida’s Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes or slow down near qualifying stopped vehicles.
- A criminal prosecution and a civil wrongful death claim are separate legal proceedings.
- The reported facts are preliminary, and the accused driver is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm at 833-4 BAD DAY.
A fatal crash on I-75 has brought renewed attention to Florida’s Move Over Law and the risks faced by Road Rangers, emergency responders, tow truck operators, and other roadside workers.
According to FOX 13, a 24-year-old FDOT Road Ranger was struck and killed while helping establish a lane closure in Pasco County on July 12, 2026. Florida Highway Patrol arrested the driver accused of striking him on a DUI manslaughter charge.
Based on the information available, The Reyes Firm does not represent anyone involved in this incident. This article discusses the reported crash and the Florida laws that may apply to similar cases.
What Happened in the Pasco County Road Ranger Crash?
A Road Ranger was reportedly assisting at an existing crash scene on I-75 near mile marker 274 when an Acura MDX traveled between two Road Ranger vehicles. The SUV struck one vehicle and then hit the Road Ranger, who was outside setting up a lane closure.
Incident Location
The fatal Road Ranger crash was reported on southbound I-75 near mile marker 274 in Pasco County, near Wesley Chapel and Lutz, Florida.
The map is provided for general location reference only. It does not show the exact point of impact or the vehicles’ positions.
The crash happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. near Wesley Chapel and Lutz.
According to FOX 13’s report, both Road Ranger trucks had their emergency lights activated. The 24-year-old Road Ranger from Brandon died from his injuries.
FHP arrested the 40-year-old Acura driver on a DUI manslaughter charge. FOX 13 reported that investigators obtained a breath alcohol reading of 0.334. A charge is an accusation. The driver remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
⚠️ Warning: Criminal charges do not automatically provide compensation.
A DUI manslaughter prosecution is brought by the government to address an alleged crime. It does not automatically pay funeral expenses, replace lost support, or compensate surviving family members. A separate civil claim may be required.
What Does Florida’s Move Over Law Require?
Florida drivers approaching certain stopped roadside vehicles must move out of the closest lane when they can do so safely. If changing lanes isn’t possible, drivers must reduce speed as required by law and proceed carefully past the scene.
Florida Statute § 316.126 applies to qualifying emergency, sanitation, utility, recovery, maintenance, construction, and disabled vehicles.
On a road with at least two lanes traveling in the same direction, drivers must change lanes to the lane closest to the stopped vehicle when safe.
When a driver cannot change lanes safely:
- On a road with a speed limit of 25 mph or higher, the driver must slow to 20 mph below the posted limit.
- On a road with a speed limit of 20 mph, the driver must travel at 5 mph.
- Drivers should watch for workers, equipment, debris, lane closures, and approaching emergency vehicles.
Florida expanded the law on January 1, 2025, to include any vehicle stopped along the roadside with hazard lights, emergency displays, flares, visible emergency signs, or people visibly present. The FLHSMV Move Over guidance explains the current requirements.
💡 Did You Know?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that Florida recorded 205 Move Over-related crashes and issued more than 17,500 citations for Move Over violations in 2024. These incidents show how quickly a roadside stop can place workers, drivers, and passengers in danger.
Can a DUI Criminal Case and a Civil Claim Happen at the Same Time?
Yes. A criminal DUI case and a civil injury or wrongful death claim can arise from the same collision, but they serve different purposes. Prosecutors handle the criminal charge, while the injured person or a deceased person’s estate may pursue compensation through the civil court system.
The criminal case may result in penalties such as incarceration, fines, probation, or license consequences. The civil case focuses on the financial and personal losses caused by the collision.
A civil investigation may examine:
- The driver’s actions before the collision
- Breath, blood, or field sobriety test evidence
- Vehicle data and mobile phone records
- Road Ranger vehicle cameras or nearby traffic cameras
- Witness statements and emergency response records
- Insurance coverage and vehicle ownership
- Prior events that may show how the driver reached the crash scene
A family does not necessarily need to wait for the criminal case to end before speaking with an attorney. However, the two proceedings can affect one another, so they must handle evidence carefully.
NHTSA reports that 11,904 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2024. Those deaths represented about 30% of all U.S. traffic fatalities that year.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Fatal DUI Crash?
Florida’s Wrongful Death Act may allow eligible survivors and the deceased person’s estate to seek compensation when another party’s wrongful act, negligence, or breach of duty causes a death. Available damages depend on family relationships, financial losses, evidence, and the facts of the case.
Under Florida Statute § 768.21, recoverable losses may include:
- Lost financial support and services
- Medical expenses connected to the final injury
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship and protection
- Mental pain and suffering for qualifying survivors
- Lost earnings and other losses suffered by the estate
The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate generally brings the wrongful death action. The complaint identifies the survivors who may benefit from the claim.
Punitive damages may also arise in some impaired-driving cases. They are designed to punish especially harmful conduct rather than compensate the family for a specific loss. They are not automatic.
Florida Statute § 768.72 requires evidence supporting a reasonable basis before a claimant may add a punitive damages claim.
🛡️ Your Rights:
Florida generally provides two years to bring a wrongful death action under Florida Statute § 95.11. Other deadlines and notice requirements may apply, especially if a government entity could be involved. Families should not wait until the deadline approaches.
How The Reyes Firm Handles Your Drunk Driving Wrongful Death Case
A fatal crash case requires more than a police report. The Reyes Firm investigates the collision, identifies available insurance and responsible parties, preserves important evidence, and calculates how the loss has affected each qualifying family member.
Our work may include:
- Obtaining crash reports, photographs, video, and witness statements
- Reviewing available toxicology and breath-test evidence
- Preserving vehicle data and electronic records
- Monitoring related criminal proceedings
- Identifying all available insurance policies
- Documenting lost support, services, and family losses
- Preparing the case for trial when a fair resolution is not offered
Criminal prosecutors represent the State of Florida. They do not serve as the family’s civil attorney. Our job is to protect the family’s civil rights and pursue accountability through the civil justice system.
Roadside crashes can involve tow trucks, maintenance vehicles, delivery vehicles, or other work vehicles. Those cases may raise additional questions about vehicle ownership, employer responsibility, insurance coverage, and company records. Learn how The Reyes Firm handles truck and commercial vehicle accidents.
The Reyes Firm handles serious injury and wrongful death cases with focus, speed, and trial readiness. We serve Tampa and the South Shore communities, including Tampa, Riverview, Brandon, Plant City, and communities across Hillsborough County.
The Reyes Firm
4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201
Tampa, FL 33614
833-4 BAD DAY
Learn more about working with a DUI accident lawyer in Tampa after a crash involving an impaired driver.
Families dealing with a fatal collision can also review how a Tampa wrongful death attorney investigates losses and protects surviving family members.
For general crash claims, visit our Tampa car accident attorney page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida DUI and Move Over Claims
Florida’s Move Over Law and wrongful death rules can raise several questions after a fatal roadside crash. The answers below provide general guidance, but we must evaluate available claims and deadlines based on the specific facts and evidence.
Was the Road Ranger crash in Tampa?
No. The crash was reported on I-75 near mile marker 274 in Pasco County, near Wesley Chapel and Lutz. The Road Ranger who died was a Brandon resident, and The Reyes Firm is located in Tampa.
What vehicles are protected by Florida’s Move Over Law?
The law covers several types of stopped vehicles, including emergency, sanitation, utility, recovery, road maintenance, construction, and qualifying disabled vehicles. The required action depends on the road, available lanes, speed limit, and surrounding traffic.
Does a Move Over violation prove civil liability?
Not automatically. A violation can be important evidence, but investigators must still determine how the collision happened and how each person’s conduct contributed. Civil liability depends on the full body of evidence.
Can a family file a wrongful death claim if criminal charges are pending?
A civil claim may proceed while criminal charges are pending. The cases have different legal standards and purposes. Coordination may be necessary to protect evidence and avoid interfering with the criminal proceeding.
Does a DUI arrest prove that the driver caused the crash?
No. An arrest and charge are not convictions, and they do not establish civil liability on their own. The evidence must establish impairment, causation, damages, and any other required elements.
Who files a Florida wrongful death lawsuit?
The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate generally files the action on behalf of the estate and eligible survivors. The survivors and their relationships to the deceased person must be identified.
How long does a Florida wrongful death case take?
The timeline varies based on the investigation, insurance coverage, number of parties, criminal proceedings, and the insurer’s willingness to negotiate. Complex cases may take longer when litigation or trial is required.
Can a family recover punitive damages after an alleged DUI crash?
Punitive damages may be available in some cases, but they are not automatic. Florida law requires a sufficient evidentiary basis before the claim can be added.
Edward Reyes, Esq. is the founder of The Reyes Firm and is admitted to The Florida Bar. He represents people and families in serious personal injury and wrongful death matters. His practice includes car accidents, DUI crashes, commercial vehicle collisions, and catastrophic injury cases across Tampa Bay and Central Florida.
How Can The Reyes Firm Help You?
If you’ve had a bad day — a car accident, a slip and fall, a trucking crash, or any injury that wasn’t your fault — The Reyes Firm is in your corner. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
You shouldn’t have to fight the insurance companies alone. Let us fight for you.
📍 4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33614
Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm. We’ll handle the rest.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with The Reyes Firm. Based on the information available, the firm does not represent any person involved in the reported Road Ranger crash. News reports and allegations may change as the investigation and court proceedings continue. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
