Van Driver Killed In Head-On Collision With Pasco Garbage Truck

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. -- The driver of a Ford van was killed Monday, Sept. 3, when his van hit a garbage truck head on and caught fire.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, just before 11 a.m., Derek J. McCormick, 65, of Tampa was traveling south on Prospect Road approaching a curve east of Handcart Road. He failed to negotiate the curve and entered the southbound lanes, hitting a Progressive Waste garbage truck.

Both the van and garbage truck collided with a guard rail and caught fire.

McCormick died at the scene.

The garbage truck driver, Christopher J. Santos, 36, of Brooksville and passenger Dustin W. Sanders, 28, of New Port Richey, were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical with serious injuries. None of the men were wearing seat belts.

Image via FHP

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