Fatal I-75 Crash in Sarasota Injures Alva Man

A 33-year-old from Alva sustained minor injuries in the collision that killed a 34-year-old woman from New Port Richey.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged trailer hitch, capturing the stark, gritty details of the crash site through dramatic lighting and a stark, investigative aesthetic.The aftermath of a deadly collision on I-75 in Sarasota exposes the grim realities of highway accidents.Sarasota Today

A fatal crash on Interstate 75 in Sarasota County early Wednesday morning left a 34-year-old woman from New Port Richey dead and a 33-year-old man from Alva with minor injuries. The crash occurred when a semi-truck collided with a pickup truck that was stopped on the highway.

Why it matters

This tragic incident on a major Florida interstate highlights the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roadways and the importance of highway safety. The crash raises questions about the circumstances that led to the pickup truck being stopped and the actions taken by the drivers involved.

The details

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a pickup truck towing a trailer loaded with sod was stopped in the northbound right lane of I-75 near mile marker 178. The driver of the pickup, a 34-year-old woman from New Port Richey, and two passengers, a 33-year-old man from Alva and a 19-year-old man from Tampa, had exited the vehicle to check on a possible trailer tire issue. A semi-truck then collided with the left side of the trailer and the left side of the pickup truck.

  • The crash occurred at 12:08 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2026.

The players

34-year-old woman from New Port Richey

The driver of the pickup truck involved in the fatal crash, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

33-year-old man from Alva

A passenger in the pickup truck who sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital.

19-year-old man from Tampa

A passenger in the pickup truck who sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital.

61-year-old man

The driver of the semi-truck that collided with the pickup truck and trailer.

Florida Highway Patrol

The law enforcement agency investigating the fatal crash.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The crash remains under investigation.”

— Florida Highway Patrol

The takeaway

This tragic incident on I-75 in Sarasota serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of highway safety and the risks posed by stopped vehicles on high-speed roadways. The investigation will likely focus on the circumstances that led to the pickup truck being stopped and the actions taken by the drivers involved.