Man in Wheelchair Struck and Killed by Pickup Truck at U.S. 41 Intersection

A 64-year-old man from Pinellas Park was killed Saturday night after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing a Manatee County intersection in his wheelchair, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The fatal crash occurred at approximately 10:53 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pearl Avenue, located just north of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Authorities say the man was using the designated crosswalk, traveling south across Pearl Avenue from the northeast corner of the intersection.

At the same time, a Ford F-250 pickup truck driven by a 29-year-old Palmetto man was positioned at a red light on Pearl Avenue, preparing to turn right onto U.S. 41. As the light changed, the driver began his turn and struck the man in the wheelchair with the front left tire of the vehicle, knocking him to the ground and running him over.

The man died at the scene. The driver of the truck remained at the location following the crash. He and his passenger, a 26-year-old woman from Bradenton, were not injured.

The Florida Highway Patrol’s Traffic Homicide Unit is actively investigating the incident. No charges have been announced at this time.