SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A 41-year-old Sanford man was killed Thursday morning when his car crashed into a tree on Markham Woods Road in Seminole County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 9:45 a.m. on Markham Woods Road near Enclave Cove.
According to a crash report, the Sanford man was driving a 2009 Cadillac CTS when it ran off the road, spun into the woods and hit a tree.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
It was a shocking start to the new year for Kyle Williamson and his wife, who live nearby. They witnessed the deadly crash just steps from their home.
“We ran out here, and it was obvious that the gentleman had passed. He was gone immediately and then, there was a fire,” Kyle Williamson said.
The couple shared surveillance video with News 6 showing the vehicle speeding by their neighborhood before slamming into a tree.
“My wife was out walking the dogs, and she came running in and said there was another accident,” Williamson said. “We had one a couple of years ago in the exact same spot where she had to take the lady to the hospital. She ran in and said, ‘Dial 911.’”
[WATCH SURVEILLANCE VIDEO BELOW]
Williamson said crashes like this are far too common along this stretch of road.
“I think this is just a strange curve. It’s a 45 mph zone, and it comes up pretty quick,” Williamson said. “And the scary thing is, elementary and middle schools are just right around the corner.”
Troopers said speed was a factor in this crash. James Shelton, who rides his bike daily along Markham Woods Road, said he sees drivers speeding all the time.
“I see cars that are going way over the speed limit, 10-20 (mph) over,” said Shelton, who also lives near Markham Woods Road. “It’s like they’re in races to get there late.”
Both neighbors say they hope more can be done to prevent future crashes.
“I hate speed bumps, but I think there need to be more signs telling people what the traffic speed is, and maybe even slow it down,” one neighbor said. “Because they’re going to go where they want to go.”
Even though they didn’t know the victim, neighbors said seeing a crash this close to home never gets easier.
“Every accident is tragic,” Williamson said. “But to have it so close to your home — so many times — it bothers you.”
News 6 spoke with the victim’s brother-in-law, who did not want to go on camera. He said the family plans to hold a memorial in his honor at the crash site.
[WATCH BELOW: New fire station reduces response times, relieves call volume in Seminole County]