Good Samaritan struck, killed on I-95 in Volusia County, FHP says

Victim identified as Efrain Merced

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – A Good Samaritan helping victims of a rollover crash on Interstate 95 in Volusia County was struck and killed early Tuesday by another vehicle, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Troopers said Efrain Merced, 59, died in the crash, which was reported around 1:30 a.m. on I-95 north at the Old Dixie Highway exit near Ormond Beach.

According to the FHP, Merced was a passenger in a tractor-trailer that pulled over to help after a red car struck a 2011 Toyotoa SUV, causing it to strike a guard rail and overturn. The driver of the red car did not stop, troopers said.

The tractor-trailer, which was southbound, stopped to help and Merced was struck and killed by a northbound 2016 four-door Toyota driven by a 24-year-old New Jersey man, the FHP said.

Merced was pronounced dead at the scene.

The wife of the driver of the tractor-trailer told News 6 that Merced and his wife recently moved to Orlando from Port St. Lucie.

The SUV driver and three passengers, including two children ages 5 and 6, suffered minor injuries and were taken to Florida Hospital Flagler, troopers said.

The driver of the Toyota suffered minor injuries, according to troopers.

An investigation is continuing, and charges are pending, the FHP said.

All northbound traffic was diverted off the highway at the U.S. 1 exit.  The interstate reopened several hours later.

[TRAFFIC:  Check conditions for your commute]

Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this developing story. 

 


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