Man walking across Florida’s Turnpike in Broward dies after struck by truck, troopers say

A man walking across Florida’s Turnpike died after a truck struck him early Wednesday morning near Coconut Creek, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

A 54-year-old man was driving a white International SF647 truck, heading north on the Turnpike, when he saw a man walking east across the highway around 2:45 a.m., spokeswoman Lt. Indiana Miranda said in a statement.

But when the Williston, Florida, trucker moved from the left lane to the center lane to avoid the man on the highway, the pedestrian darted in front of the truck, Miranda said.

The truck hit the man on the turnpike north of Coconut Creek Parkway before stopping on the shoulder, she said. Tamarac Fire Rescue paramedics said the pedestrian died on the highway.

It was not immediately known why the man was walking on the highway.

Troopers are attempting to contact the pedestrian’s next of kin before releasing his name.

The northbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike near Coconut Creek reopened around 7:15 a.m.