Charlotte County man, 18, dies after crashing into pole on I-75

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — An 18-year-old Charlotte County man died after losing control of his vehicle on Interstate 75 early Sunday morning, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release.

The crash happened around 6 a.m. at mile marker 202.8 on southbound I-75 in Sarasota County. The driver was traveling in the center lane when he approached another vehicle ahead of him.

FHP says he veered into the inside lane to avoid the vehicle but lost control of his 2012 Ford Fusion. The car rotated and crossed all three southbound lanes before exiting the roadway onto the west side paved shoulder.

The left side of the vehicle then collided with a metal pole on the grass shoulder. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash is still being investigated.

Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on-air for any new developments on this story.