A 19-year-old man died early Monday morning when he crashed into the back of a semi in Myakka City, troopers say.
The crash happened at 7:34 a.m. on State Road 70 E, just east of M&J Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Quenten Tyler Cox, of Ona, was driving a 1997 Ford F250 east on State Road 70 behind a 2000 Freightliner Classic. At the same time, a 2014 Chevy Cruze was heading west on State Road 70 E.
Troopers say the semi driver said he pulled onto the south shoulder and had nearly stopped when he was hit from behind.
After the impact, the pickup truck traveled across both lanes of State Road 70 E, finally coming to rest on a grassy shoulder.
The driver of the Chevy Cruze avoided hitting the pickup truck by swerving off the highway and onto the shoulder.
Cox died at the scene of the crash.
No other injuries were reported.
Both lanes of State Road 70 E were closed and then reopened four hours later.