New Port Richey Man Killed in Pickup Truck Rollover on East Lake Road

The driver of a pickup truck was killed and four passengers were injured Tuesday afternoon when the man lost control of his vehicle and rolled on East Lake Road.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, none of the five people in the pickup truck were wearing seatbelts.

Two passengers were apparently riding in the bed of the white 2006 Ford Ranger.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

FHP claims the 21-year-old deceased man, of New Port Richey, was driving the truck around 2:35 p.m. when he veered onto the median and overcorrected, causing the pickup to roll several times in the northbound lanes of traffic.

Most of the passengers in the truck were ejected.

All four of the survivors suffered serious injuries and were taken to local area hospitals.

FHP is still investigating the crash. It is unclear at this time if alcohol was a factor in the collision.

An estimated 250,000 rollover accidents occur throughout the United States every year. Studies show that nearly 10,000 occupants are killed annually in rollover accidents. Additionally, more than 17,000 people suffer severe and catastrophic injuries in rollover crashes each year, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Due to the fact that SUVs and pickup trucks maintain widespread popularity in the United States, the rate of rollover accidents across the country has steadily increased over the years. A recent study performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that 61 percent of SUV crash fatalities and 45 percent of pickup truck accident fatalities occurred as a result of a rollover accident.

Statistics gathered by the NHTSA show that young drivers between the ages of 16-24 are at a greater risk of rollover accidents. In fact, young drivers are 200 percent more likely to become involved in a fatal rollover collision. In general, the most common causes of rollover accidents are:

• Driver Inexperience
• Driver Negligence
• Bad Weather Conditions
• Steep Turns or Improperly Maintained Roads
• Automobile Design Defects

The severity of injuries sustained in a pickup rollover accident is usually related to how many times the vehicle rolls and whether the occupants involved were wearing seatbelts. Without the use of seatbelts, occupants in a pickup truck rollover accident are highly likely to be thrown from the vehicle.

New Port Richey is located near one of the most dangerous highways, US Highway 19. Numerous pickup truck and motor vehicle collisions occur on this highway every day. If you have been injured in a rollover accident, it is important that you understand your rights to seek compensation for your losses, including pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages and other damages. The Pasco County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can investigate the causes of your accident and help you obtain the maximum recovery you are entitled to under the law.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a rollover accident in New Port Richey, Dade City or elsewhere in Pasco County, contact the Pasco County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call 727-847-2299.