Head-On Truck Crash On SR-31 In Charlotte County Sparks Renewed Focus on Commercial Driver Alertness
Bryan Greenberg
Accident Lawyers
In Florida, rural highways like State Road 31 are vital routes for both local drivers and commercial trucks. But when a semi-truck crosses the center line — especially at highway speeds — the consequences are often devastating. We’ve seen far too many catastrophic crashes caused by one brief moment of distraction or drowsiness behind the wheel.Truck Drivers Hold a Tremendous Responsibility
Commercial drivers are trained professionals, but they also face long hours, demanding schedules, and pressure to deliver on time. When fatigue or distraction sets in, even for a few seconds, the outcome can be catastrophic. Unlike a passenger car, a fully loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If that kind of vehicle drifts across the center line — as we saw in this most recent crash on SR-31 — the other driver often has no time or space to avoid a collision.
Fatigue and Distraction Are a Deadly Mix
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) has strict rules limiting drive time for truckers, but enforcement is difficult, especially in remote areas. Drivers may try to push their limits, unaware of how impaired they’ve become. Whether it’s looking at a GPS, reaching for a coffee, or nodding off after a long night — the result is the same: a massive vehicle out of control.
Our Firm Has Seen Too Many of These Crashes
We represent clients throughout Southwest Florida, and these types of collisions — involving trucks on two-lane roads — are sadly not rare. Survivors often face life-changing injuries, extended recovery, and significant financial challenges.
We urge all commercial drivers to stay alert, well-rested, and focused — especially on narrow rural roads. And for anyone injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, know that you have legal options to seek help and hold negligent drivers accountable.
Semi Truck Collides Head-On With Pickup Truck, Seriously Injuring Two
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL — A devastating crash involving a semi-truck and a pickup truck early Friday morning sent two young men to the hospital with serious injuries.
The crash occurred at approximately 4:45 AM on July 25, 2025, along State Road 31, just south of Farabee Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol:
• A 2016 PTRB semi-truck was traveling south on SR-31.
• A 2018 Dodge Ram pickup, hauling a flatbed trailer, was traveling north on SR-31.
• The semi-truck drifted into the northbound lane, directly into the path of the pickup.
• The two vehicles collided head-on.
The driver of the pickup — a 23-year-old man from Lakeland — and his passenger — a 22-year-old man from Auburndale — were both seriously injured and transported to Gulf Coast Hospital. The semi-truck driver, a 58-year-old man, sustained minor injuries.
Photos from the scene show extensive wreckage. It is remarkable that both men in the pickup survived at all.
The crash remains under active investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol’s Traffic Homicide Unit.