When something drifts or falls into the lane where a driver is traveling, their first instinct may be to swerve to avoid a collision. In many cases, this is ideal, especially if other lanes are clear. However, swerving can be a dangerous driving tactic. MSN Auto stated that swerving was the number one of the top ten fatal driver mistakes. When a driver swerves, they risk losing control of the vehicle or overcorrecting, which can lead to a single-vehicle accident like driving off the road. Single-vehicle accidents are one of the top causes of serious injury and death in motor vehicle crashes. Several people are killed each year by drivers who drift into adjacent lanes or into oncoming traffic.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that a 38-year-old man was killed in an accident near Valencia College.
The crash occurred at about 4:55 p.m. on Wednesday outside Valencia College, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
35-year-old Dartanyan Latne was driving a 1997 Ford pickup truck west on Valencia College Lane. A pedestrian tried to cross into the westbound lane. In order to avoid a collision, Latne swerved into the eastbound lanes of traffic.
He hit a 2004 Chevy SUV driven by 38-year-old Joshua Vasquez head-on.
The pedestrian was not injured. However, Latne and his passenger, 38-year-old Courtney Bradley, along with Vasquez were taken to area hospitals for injuries.
Bradley was pronounced dead at the hospital while Latne and Vasquez had just minor injuries.
The crash is still under investigation.