Troopers are investigating a crash of one of their own which occurred on State Road 44 near Jungle Road in Volusia County on Monday morning.
According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Trooper Melvin Lane, 59, of Deland, was traveling in a marked patrol car eastbound on State Road 44 near Jungle Road, trying to catch up with a motorcycle clocking a high rate of speed, around 9:10 am on Monday. Debra Ann Bennett, 57, of New Smyrna Beach, in a 2003 Lexus SUV, was traveling westbound on SR 44, in the left through lane.
Trooper Lane attempted to make a left turn to travel northbound on Jungle Road in front of Bennett when the front of the Lexus struck the trooper’s vehicle. After the crash, the Lexus turned over onto its side.
Both Lane and Bennett were wearing seatbelt. Alcohol played no role in the crash. The speed at which Trooper Lane was traveling is not clear. He sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash. Bennett was not hurt.
FHP is continuing with their investigation and charges are pending.
