Driver Charged With DUI In Fatal U.S. 41 Crash In Manatee County: FHP

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A man was charged with driving under the influence after a fatal crash between two pick-up trucks on U.S. 41 in Manatee County early Sunday morning, according to a Florida Highway Patrol news release.

Around 2:30 a.m., a 35-year-old Palmetto man driving south on U.S. 41 was in the left turn lane approaching Braden Avenue at the same time a second pick-up truck, driven by a 41-year-old Bradenton man, was traveling north in the road’s center lane toward the intersection, the agency said.

As the Palmetto man turned left onto Braden Avenue, the vehicles collided and his truck also hit a traffic signal support pole, according to FHP. The second truck rotated and came to a stop in the intersection.

The passenger of the first truck, a 39-year-old man also from Palmetto, was seriously injured in the crash and brought to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the agency said.

The driver of this truck was also brought to an area hospital with serious injuries. Charges against him are pending, FHP said.

The 41-year-old driver of the second truck, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license, according to FHP. He was booked into Manatee County Jail.

The crash remains under investigation by Florida Highway Patrol.