The third pedestrian involved in the Saturday 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.
Phillips, along with Trooper Chelsea Richard and tow truck driver John Duggan were killed as a result of a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 75.
Trooper Richard, 30, was investigating a crash near mile marker 341, when she was struck and killed, around 2:00 p.m. Richard was talking with a tow truck driver, John Duggan, on the east shoulder, when a multi-vehicle crash in the area caused a southbound pickup to careen off the roadway. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Trooper Richard is the 45th Florida Highway Patrol Trooper to be killed in the line of duty.
Funeral arrangements for Trooper Richard are being made and will be available once decisions are made by the family.
Investigators are in the beginning stages of sorting through the physical evidence and witness statements relating to this crash, FHP said.
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.
