Roadway safety warning from FHP after deadly crash near Pine Ridge Road

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Three Naples men died on I-75 near Pine Ridge Road after a Tesla crashed into an overturned box truck, including a Good Samaritan who had stopped to help, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP investigators said the box truck was heading southbound on I-75 just before 4 a.m. when it swerved off the road and then back into the lanes, flipping the truck on its side.  The crash caused a chain reaction.

"I don't know what to say," a witness said. "God bless them, all three of them."

The deadly crash has many people asking what you should do if you encounter a hazard on the highway. 

FHP's Lt. Greg Bueno told WINK News if someone were to encounter an emergency on the roads, they should call 911 and find a safe spot.

"I think your first priority is two things, the importance of immediately calling 911 if you are a passerby and all of a sudden confronted with an emergency situation. Number two is to make sure that you're in a safe location yourself," FHP's Lt. Greg Bueno said. 

Every crash is different, but those two steps are critical. Bueno said many drivers aren't paying attention.

"A lot of this traffic that's driving on the roads... isn't paying attention," Bueno said. "They're not looking up with their head up to even see that there's an issue ahead."

What led up to Sunday's deadly crash is still under active investigation. Bueno said any loss of life is a tragedy and a reminder of how unpredictable roads can be.

"We're all human beings that drive cars, and make sure that we're doing everything responsible behind a wheel every single time we get behind the wheel of our car," Bueno said.

FHP said they continue to investigate the tragic crash that occurred over the weekend and an official crash report will become a public record, once completed. 

As deaths are involved, FHP said they are also conducting a traffic homicide investigation, which is a more in-depth investigation to uncover the factual specific events of what led up to the crash. Troopers told WINK News a traffic homicide investigative report typically can take upwards of 90 days to complete.