An 81-year-old woman from Indian Harbour Beach was killed Thursday evening after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross State Road A1A at Eau Gallie Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — A 20-year-old Palm Bay woman was killed late Sunday night after a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 95 in Brevard County that began when a Mercedes struck an alligator in the roadway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened at approximately 11:52 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, on southbound Interstate 95, also designated State Road 9, near mile marker 214.
According to an FHP crash report, a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-350 was traveling southbound in the center lane when its 58-year-old driver, a man from Canada, encountered an alligator in the roadway.
The driver was unable to avoid the animal, and the front left side of the Mercedes struck the alligator, investigators said.
A 2004 Toyota Tacoma was traveling southbound on I-95 behind or approaching the Mercedes at the time. The 20-year-old driver of the pickup truck attempted to avoid the Mercedes ahead of her by swerving.
The maneuver caused the Tacoma to lose control, according to FHP.
The pickup truck then overturned, ejecting the driver. The woman landed in the center lane of southbound I-95.
As the woman was lying in the roadway, an unknown third vehicle traveling southbound struck her, according to investigators.
The driver of that vehicle did not remain at the scene. FHP said the unknown vehicle fled following the collision.
The 20-year-old woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The FHP report indicates the woman was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Mercedes, a 58-year-old man, was not injured. He remained at the scene and was not transported for medical treatment. The report indicates he was wearing a seat belt.
The vehicle involved in the fatal hit-and-run is currently unidentified.
FHP listed the third vehicle as an unknown vehicle and did not provide a description of its make, model, color, or license plate in the report.
FHP said the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could help identify the vehicle that struck the woman to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at *347 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Investigators have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the fleeing vehicle, and the report does not identify the deceased woman by name pending the completion of the investigation and notification procedures.
