Woman Survives Rollover Crash After Hitting 9-Foot Gator

Maslin Kurtz was driving in Sarasota County when she struck the large alligator on the road.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:45am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged car part, such as a broken side mirror or cracked windshield, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a collision with a large animal.A dramatic crash scene exposes the dangers drivers face when wildlife unexpectedly appears on rural Florida roads.Fruitville Today

A Manatee County woman named Maslin Kurtz survived a rollover crash after hitting a nearly 9-foot alligator while driving on Fruitville Road and Cowpen Lane in a rural part of Sarasota County, Florida before sunrise on Easter Sunday around 6 a.m.

Why it matters

Collisions between vehicles and wildlife, especially large animals like alligators, can pose serious risks to drivers and passengers. This incident highlights the potential dangers drivers face on rural roads in Florida, where wildlife encounters are more common.

The details

Kurtz was traveling on Fruitville Road and Cowpen Lane when she struck the nearly 9-foot alligator, causing her vehicle to roll over. Despite the dramatic crash, Kurtz survived the incident with only minor injuries.

  • The crash happened before sunrise on Easter Sunday, around 6 a.m.

The players

Maslin Kurtz

A Manatee County woman who was driving the vehicle that struck the alligator and survived the resulting rollover crash.

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The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for drivers in rural Florida areas to be vigilant for wildlife on the roads, especially during early morning and nighttime hours when visibility may be reduced. It also highlights the potential risks posed by large animals like alligators that can wander onto roadways, underscoring the importance of safe driving practices in regions with abundant wildlife.