A 74-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries Sunday morning after being struck by a pickup truck while attempting to remove a turtle from the roadway in Seminole, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating the crash, which occurred at approximately 8:44 a.m. on May 24, 2026, in the area of 11201 80th Avenue North.
Investigators say a 2010 Toyota Tacoma driven by 37-year-old Jake Gauthier was traveling westbound on 80th Avenue North when 74-year-old Charles McFall stepped into the roadway to remove a turtle.
According to investigators, the vehicle struck McFall, throwing him to the ground.
McFall was transported to the hospital with life-threatening but stable injuries.
Gauthier was not injured in the crash.
Investigators said neither speed nor impairment appear to be factors in the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
