Teen driver drags, kills man collecting garbage at Seminole County apartment complex, FHP says

Aurielle Eady
·1 min read

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - The Florida Highway Patrol said a man died after he was struck and dragged under an SUV at an apartment complex on Tuesday night.

The crash happened shortly before 9:30 p.m. at The Laurel at Altamonte apartment complex in Seminole County.

Troopers said a 57-year-old Altamonte Springs man was standing near his pickup truck and collecting garbage when a 17-year-old Maitland boy failed to see him and crashed into him with his 2018 Dodge Journey.

The teen subsequently collided with the pickup truck and then continued south on Jordan Stuart Circle, with the man pinned under his vehicle. He then made a left on the road and traveled north before parking.

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"I walk out my door with dogs, and I see a man getting dragged under a car down the road," said Anthony Marquez.

Marquez, who lives in the complex, said he saw the whole thing happen before him.

"It’s like, indescribable, how someone sounds in that moment. It feels like a primal instinct to help that person," Marquez said.

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When first responders arrived at the complex, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

"He just seemed so friendly. He wasn’t a mean guy whatsoever," Marquez said.

In a statement sent to FOX 35 News, the Florida Highway Patrol said the crash remains under investigation, "and any charges, if any, won’t be made until the entire traffic homicide investigation is complete."

The FHP added that the driver did not show any signs of impairment at the time of the crash and remained at the scene afterward.