Lakeland Man Crashes SUV into Tractor Trailer Dies at Scene

July 13th, 2011 |

LAKELAND FL - A Lakeland Florida man was killed early this morning when his SUV collided with the rear end of a tractor-trailer at the intersection of North Florida Avenue and the North U.S. 98 Bypass.

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Map showing location of semi truck crash with SUV where a man was killed early Wednesday morning, July 13, 2011 at the intersection of Florida Avenue and US 98 Bypass in Lakeland, FL.

The accident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. According to the Lakeland Police Department, the victim was driving north on North Florida Avenue at a high rate of speed when his 2002 Toyota 4 Runner crashed into the semi truck.

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Thor Olsen, Jr. was killed in a semi truck accident with an SUV that he was driving in Lakeland, FL. Photo credit: Florida Department of Law Enforcement

The victim was identified as 23-year old Thor Olsen who died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to a release from Lakeland Police.

The Ledger.com reports:

The eastbound lanes of the North U.S. 98 Bypass just north of downtown Lakeland were reopened shortly before 10 a.m. this morning after being closed for more than seven hours following an early morning wreck that killed a Lakeland man.

The intersection remained blocked throughout the morning while the tractor-trailer, loaded with perishable goods, was unloaded so it could be removed by a wrecker.

The rig has been there since a 2:30 a.m. accident that killed Thor Olsen, 23, the release said.

The truck driver, Don Steadman, 34, of Lakeland, was wearing his seatbelt. No tickets were issued in the crash, which remains under investigation, the release said.

Truck Accident Lawyer News is a truck accident and personal injury blog that publishes up to date truck accident and truck legal news from across the United States. Florida, due to its high population and vast highway system, has a high incident of truck accidents. Florida metropolitan cities besides Lakeland with a high incident of truck accidents and vehicle collision resulting in severe personal injuries and even death include Kissimmee, Miami, Miramar, Naples, Ocala, Orlando and Palm Bay to name a few.