Taft, FL — March 1, 2025, one person was killed and another person was injured in a truck accident just after midnight on Landstreet Road.

Authorities said a Mercedes crashed into the back end of a semi-truck that was stopped at the intersection of Landstreet and Orange Avenue.

Both occupants of the Mercedes were transported to an Orlando hospital, where the driver, a 39-year-old woman, died, according to authorities. Her passenger, a 33-year-old man, is being treated for serious injuries. Their names have not been made public at this time.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Orange County crash. The accident is still being investigated.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a passenger vehicle crashes into the back of a stopped semi-truck, the key question is why the smaller vehicle’s driver didn’t stop in time. While some might assume this was simply driver inattention, a proper investigation should consider multiple factors before drawing conclusions.

One of the first things investigators should determine is visibility. This crash happened just after midnight, a time when lighting conditions can be poor. Was the semi-truck clearly visible? Were its brake lights and reflective markings functioning properly? Trucks that stop at intersections can sometimes blend into the darkness if their reflective materials are damaged, dirty or missing altogether. If visibility was a factor, that could shift some responsibility onto the truck driver or their employer.

Investigators should also consider road and traffic conditions. Was there another factor — such as wet pavement, glare from streetlights or a sudden traffic slowdown — that contributed to the crash? Was the semi-truck stopped at a red light, or was there another reason it had come to a stop at the intersection?

At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities only focus on who hit whom without investigating why the crash happened, they risk missing key details. A full investigation should take into account visibility, driver behavior and road conditions to ensure a complete understanding of what went wrong.