Columbia County, FL — February 27, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 6:05 a.m. on State Road 47 north of Fort White.

Authorities said a car was driving east on County Road 38/Elim Church Road when it was hit by a semi-truck at the intersection of State Road 47. The collision caused both vehicles to overturn.

The 63-year-old Lake City woman who has driving the car died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver, a 33-year-old man, was not injured, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Columbia County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes at intersections involving semi-trucks often come down to one critical question: Who had the right of way? In this case, reports indicate that a car traveling on County Road 38 was hit by a semi-truck on State Road 47, but they don’t specify which driver had the legal right to proceed. A proper investigation needs to determine whether this was a case of failure to yield, misjudgment or something more complex.

One key factor is whether there were traffic signals or stop signs controlling the intersection. Did the car have a stop sign, and if so, did the driver fail to yield to the semi? Or was the truck driver responsible for yielding but didn’t slow down in time? Reviewing any available traffic camera footage or witness statements will be crucial in answering this.

Another issue is visibility. Was there anything obstructing the drivers’ view of each other: trees, buildings poor lighting? Rural intersections often have limited sight lines, making it difficult for drivers to judge gaps in traffic. If the design of the intersection played a role, that’s something authorities should examine.

Speed is also a major consideration. Was the truck traveling at an appropriate speed for the conditions? A semi-truck requires significantly more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle. If the truck driver was going too fast to react safely, that could be an important factor in determining fault. Reviewing black box data from the truck could provide insight into speed and braking before impact.

Ultimately, the investigation should go beyond simply stating that the vehicles collided. It needs to determine why they collided: whether it was a failure to yield, poor visibility, excessive speed or something else entirely. If authorities don’t take a close look at every factor involved, they risk missing key details that could provide needed answers for the victim's family.