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Good Samaritans comfort woman killed in collision with dump truck in Lake County

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Published  January 15, 2025 8:45pm EST
Lake County
FOX 35 Orlando

Woman killed in head-on collision with dump truck

A 23-year-old woman from Altoona died Tuesday morning in a head-on collision with a dump truck on County Road 439 near County Road 44-A in Lake County. Good Samaritans Mike Bucci and Sean Taylor rushed to the scene after hearing the crash.

The Brief

    • A 23-year-old Altoona woman died in a head-on collision with a dump truck on County Road 439 in Lake County.
    • Good Samaritans rushed to help, with one providing comfort to the victim in her final moments.
    • The crash highlights safety concerns on the busy road, which has seen 28 accidents in the past year, prompting calls for drivers to slow down and stay focused.

EUSTIS, Fla. - A 23-year-old woman from Altoona died Tuesday morning in a head-on collision with a dump truck on County Road 439 near County Road 44-A in Lake County.

‘It sounded like a bomb’

What we know:

The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at approximately 8:23 a.m. on Tuesday, when a 1994 dump truck traveling northbound on CR-439 encountered stopped traffic. The driver, a 28-year-old man from Leesburg, attempted to brake but veered into the southbound lane, colliding head-on with a 2019 Toyota Corolla.

The driver of the Corolla was transported to AdventHealth Waterman Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, troopers said. The dump truck driver was not injured and remained at the scene. Both directions of CR-439 were blocked for hours as authorities investigated.

A bouquet of flowers now marks the spot where the young woman lost her life. Good Samaritans Mike Bucci and Sean Taylor rushed to the scene after hearing the crash. 

"It sounded like a bomb," said Taylor. 

"I knew when I got to her, it wasn't good. It wasn't good, but the only blessing was I tried to comfort her. She wasn't alone. For that, I'm grateful. At least she wasn't alone," said Bucci, a former firefighter and EMT.

Data reveals troubling stretch of highway

What they're saying:

The crash, which occurred on a heavily trafficked road, left the woman’s car mangled, and the dump truck damaged, with smoke rising from the scene. 

Data from Lake County reveals County Road 439 has been the site of 28 crashes in the past year, including one other fatality, highlighting safety concerns. Taylor noted the high volume of traffic.

"It's not just cars — it's dump trucks, it's delivery trucks, it's cement trucks. It's out of control," he said.

Bucci urged drivers to prioritize safety, saying, "Please just keep your eyes on the road, pay attention to your surroundings — you're going to save someone's life."

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. 

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Highway Patrol, and witnesses Mike Bucci and Sean Taylor.

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