A 37-year-old Lakeland man was fatally injured in a hit-and-run crash on I-275 near the 32 Milepost, just north of 4th Street North. The collision occurred on Friday, January 24, 2025, at approximately 8:19 p.m.
The incident occurred when the man, driving a Mazda 3 southbound, experienced a flat tire. He stopped on the shoulder of the interstate and exited the vehicle to change the tire. While doing so, he was struck by a passing car that failed to move over.
The victim was transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he died from his injuries.
Preliminary reports suggest that the vehicle involved may have been an unidentified Tesla model.
Authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in gathering more information about this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact FHP at (*347) or Crime Stoppers at **TIPS.