Plant City, FL — February 7, 2025, one person was killed and two others were injured in a truck accident at about 11:35 p.m. at McGee Road and North Alexander Street/State Road 39.
Authorities said a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue ambulance was hit by a semi-truck after it allegedly failed to yield while entering the intersection. The ambulance, which had not been using its lights and sirens while headed east on McGee, overturned, while the semi-truck jackknifed.
The 64-year-old woman who was being transported in the ambulance died from injuries sustained in the crash after she was taken to a local hospital, according to authorities. Her name has not been made public at this time.
The ambulance driver and another crew member were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
The truck driver was not injured.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Many people assume emergency vehicles always have the right of way, but when they aren’t using lights and sirens, they must follow the same traffic rules as everyone else. That means if the ambulance failed to yield before entering the intersection, investigators need to examine whether that decision directly contributed to the crash, or if other factors were at play.
One key issue is whether the semi-truck driver had enough time and space to react. Trucks take longer to stop than passenger vehicles, and a fully loaded 18-wheeler can take several hundred feet to come to a complete stop at highway speeds. If the ambulance entered the intersection suddenly, the truck driver may have had little chance to avoid the collision. Investigators should look at dashcam footage, black box data and any available traffic camera footage to determine how both drivers approached the intersection.
The fact that the ambulance rolled over also raises concerns about vehicle design. Emergency vehicles must be able to protect their passengers in the event of a crash. Was the ambulance structurally sound? Were its occupants properly restrained? If the crash forces weren’t extreme but the ambulance still overturned, it’s worth asking whether the design of the vehicle played a role in making the crash more severe.
At this stage, it’s too early to say who is ultimately accountable. The ambulance driver may have made a mistake by entering the intersection at the wrong time, but that doesn’t mean the truck driver — or other factors — didn’t also contribute to the wreck. A thorough investigation needs to go beyond assumptions and examine all available evidence to ensure the right parties are held accountable.
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