77-year-old man killed trying to help turtle on I-95, Florida troopers say

A 77-year-old man caused a two-vehicle crash and died on Interstate 95 while trying to help an animal that ventured onto the highway, Florida troopers said.

The Vermont man died at the scene near Sebastian in Indian River County the afternoon of July 6, while the others involved in the crash were uninjured, according to a report from Florida Highway Patrol.

The man was trying to help a turtle cross the southbound lanes of I-95 when a vehicle was forced to slow down to avoid hitting him, state troopers said.

But the Dodge Ram pickup truck behind it didn’t stop in time and rear-ended the first vehicle, sending it veering off the road until it hit a fence and stopped, according to investigators.

The truck then hit the 77-year-old man, throwing him onto the left shoulder, then the driver pulled over, troopers said.

The man’s next of kin was on scene as he succumbed to the fatal injuries, according to the report.

Sebastian is about a 95-mile drive north from West Palm Beach on Florida’s Atlantic Coast.

This story was originally published July 7, 2025 at 1:55 PM with the headline "77-year-old man killed trying to help turtle on I-95, Florida troopers say."