Lake County, FL : Fog a factor in deadly 5-vehicle crash in Lake County on Monday, 31st October 2016

A man was killed and four others were hurt after a tractor trailer pulled out in front of a pickup truck in Lake County on Monday morning, then three other vehicles slammed into the trailer, troopers said.Troopers said thick fog was a factor in the crash, which happened at U.S. 27 and Independence Boulevard just before 6 a.m.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a semi truck with a trailer hauling food supplies was stopped at a stop sign in eastbound lanes on Independence Boulevard.

The driver, Tyrone Ivy, 43, of Orlando, attempted to make a left turn to travel northbound on U.S. 27, pulling into the path of a 2012 Dodge pickup driven by Kevin Cottle, 21, of Leesburg, troopers said.

The Dodge struck the left side of the trailer and went under it, killing Cottle.

Three other vehicles: a 2014 Nissan SUV driven by Shannon Hennessy, 26, of Leesburg; 2000 Ford pickup driven by Terry Fletcher, 62, of Lady Lake; and a 2006 Ford pickup driven by Lawrence Weimer, 28, of Orlando, all then struck the left side of the trailer.

“It was so foggy out, it looked like we saw yellow blinking lights, and then I just heard all the cars hitting,” witness Steve Fulton said.

Hennessy was seriously injured and taken to South Lake Hospital. Fletcher was seriously hurt and taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Weimer and a passenger in the 2006 Ford, Justin Watson, 31, of Fruitland Park, suffered minor injuries and were both taken to Leesburg Regional Medical Center.

Troopers said fog could be thick over the next few mornings and are warning motorists to take precautions while on the roads.
“We want other drivers to realize that this weather pattern could continue for the next couple of days, to make sure that you are driving at or below the posted speed limit and paying attention, because visibility could play an issue in you being able to see another vehicle in front of you,” FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said.

A passenger in the semi — Reynaldo Echevarria, 40, of Fruitland Park — was not hurt. The FHP is still investiging the crash, and charges are pending, it said.

Trooopers said a Lake County deputy was involved a crash while responding to the multi-vehicle crash. That deputy was not injured.

Source :
Fog a factor in deadly 5-vehicle crash in Lake County