Lakeland Man Killed in Columbia County Interstate Crash

Troopers say 47-year-old pedestrian struck and killed on I-75 early Sunday morning.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A 47-year-old man from Lakeland, Florida was killed in an early morning crash on Interstate 75 in Columbia County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was lying in the northbound lanes when he was struck by a 17-year-old female driver from Madison, Florida. The driver was not injured in the incident.

Why it matters

Interstate crashes involving pedestrians are uncommon but can be devastating. This incident raises questions about the circumstances that led the Lakeland man to be on the highway at that time, as well as the potential factors that may have contributed to the crash, such as visibility, impairment, or distraction.

The details

The crash occurred around 12:34 a.m. on Sunday at mile marker 432 on I-75 in Columbia County. According to the FHP report, a sedan being driven northbound in the inside lane struck the 47-year-old Lakeland man who was lying in the roadway. The man suffered fatal injuries as a result of the collision. The 17-year-old female driver from Madison was not injured.

  • The crash occurred around 12:34 a.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

The players

47-year-old Lakeland man

The pedestrian who was struck and killed while lying in the northbound lanes of I-75 in Columbia County.

17-year-old Madison girl

The driver of the sedan that struck the pedestrian on I-75.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of driver awareness and caution, especially on high-speed roadways where pedestrians should never be present. It also highlights the need for further investigation into the circumstances that led to the Lakeland man being on the interstate at that time.