Lutz, FL – 69-Year-Old Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash on I-75

Last updated Tuesday, May 20th, 2025

Lutz, FL (May 19, 2025) – A multi-vehicle collision claimed the life of a 69-year-old man from Longboat Key on the afternoon of May 16. The crash took place around 3:15 p.m. on the southbound side of Interstate 75 near milepost 277 in Lutz.

According to a statement from the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was driving a Tesla Model S when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered from its lane and struck a Ford F-150 pickup truck. After the initial impact, the Tesla then collided with a Toyota Corolla. The Toyota, forced from its path, subsequently hit a Peterbilt semi-truck.

Despite the heavy impacts, the Tesla continued moving along the interstate and crashed into a Volvo semi-truck, marking the final and most severe of the five-vehicle pileup. Emergency medical services arrived quickly at the scene. The 69-year-old driver of the Tesla was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Fortunately, all other drivers involved in the crash escaped without injury.

Traffic on southbound I-75 was at a standstill for several hours while authorities conducted cleanup and began their investigation. The roadway reopened late Friday evening.

We hope those injured in this accident recover quickly.

Car Accidents in Florida

Florida is among the states with the highest number of motor vehicle accidents each year. With its dense population and busy interstates, collisions are a daily occurrence, often causing significant harm. According to state records, over 390,000 crashes took place in Florida last year alone. To learn more about how the state tracks and reports highway incidents, visit the Florida Highway Patrol.

When serious accidents happen, understanding some key topics can be helpful. Here are some common causes of car accidents in Florida:

Driver Fatigue: Long drives, especially on highways like I-75, can lead to mental and physical fatigue. Drowsy driving reduces alertness, slows reaction time, and can cause a driver to unintentionally drift between lanes or miss warning signs.
Distracted Driving: Using phones, adjusting GPS settings, or eating behind the wheel are some of the most frequent distractions. Even a few seconds of inattention can lead to serious collisions, particularly on busy roadways.
High Speeds: Speeding remains one of the top contributors to severe crashes. Faster speeds reduce the amount of time a driver has to react and increase the impact during a crash, leading to more serious injuries or fatalities.
Failure to Yield: Some crashes occur because a driver fails to yield at ramps, stop signs, or during lane changes. Misjudging the distance or speed of oncoming traffic can have dangerous consequences.
Weather Conditions: Florida’s sudden rainstorms and wet roads contribute to loss of control, especially when drivers are unprepared. Poor visibility and slick pavement are a bad combination for highway travel.

If you or someone you love has been in a serious crash, call our car accident attorney at Rebein Law to discuss your rights and legal options. Acting quickly after a crash is essential.

After a serious crash, contacting a Lutz car accident attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make. Having legal guidance from the start allows your lawyer to collect evidence, deal with insurance companies, and handle legal filings on time. At Rebein Law, we understand how complex the days after a collision can feel. Let us take the legal pressure off you so you can focus on healing and moving forward. Call our team right away after any accident involving injuries or fatalities.

Our mission is to give injury victims more than just legal representation—we offer peace of mind. With over 3,000 resolved cases and a strong reputation across Florida, we ensure that every case is handled directly by an attorney, not passed down to assistants. Attorney Paul Rebein and Melody Manning are personally committed to their clients and strive for fast resolutions without sacrificing quality. Whether you prefer to speak by phone or email, we make communication easy and transparent. Our firm was built on values of community, care, and compassion. We proudly serve all of Florida and always provide free consultations. To speak directly with an attorney, call us today at 813-305-7285.

Note: This post is based on secondary sources, and our team has not independently verified the details of the accident. If you find any inaccuracies, please contact Rebein Law so we can update the post with the correct information. We will also remove the post upon request.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this post is to inform our readers about the dangers of driving and to provide information for people who are injured in an accident in Florida. This post is not a solicitation for business. None of the information provided is intended to be legal or medical advice. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene.