UPDATE: May 4, 2014
The third pedestrian involved in the May 3, 2014 crash on I-75, George R. Phillips, 52, of Ocala, Florida succumbed to his injuries late last night at Ocala Regional Medical Center, Florida Highway Patrol said. Investigators are in the beginning stages to sort through the physical evidence and witness statements relating to this crash.
Funeral arrangements for Trooper Richard are being formed and will be available once decisions are made by the family.
Trooper Richard is the 45th Florida Highway Patrol Trooper to be killed in the line of duty.
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A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was killed in the line of duty Saturday, while working a traffic crash on Interstate 75.
Trooper Chelsea Richard, 30, was investigating a crash near mile marker 341, when she was struck and killed, around 2:00 p.m.
Florida Highway Patrol said, Richard was talking with a tow truck driver on the east shoulder, when a multi-vehicle crash in the area caused a southbound pickup to careen off the roadway.
Richard and the tow truck driver, John Duggan, were pronounced dead on the scene. Another pedestrian standing on the shoulder of the road was also hit and transported in critical condition, to Ocala Regional Hospital.
The crash remains under investigation.
It is unclear if speed played a role in either of the crashes. But a bill raising the speed limit on Florida highways from 70 to 75 miles per hour, cleared the Legislature and is on its way to Gov. Rick Scott.
Several wise lawmakers argued that if the speed limit is increased, it would cause more deaths on Florida’s highways.
