Port Charlotte man, 20, identified as victim in deadly semi-truck crash near I-75 in Punta Gorda

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK) — A 20-year-old Port Charlotte man died on Thursday after running a red light and colliding with a semi-truck at the intersection of U.S. 17 and Interstate 75, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP said the crash happened at 7:11 a.m. Authorities said the man was driving a Volkswagen GTI eastbound on U.S. 17 in the left through lane as he approached Interstate 75.

1 dead after semi truck crash on US-17 in Punta Gorda

A 68-year-old Hialeah man was driving a Freightliner Cascada westbound on U.S. 17 in the designated left-turn lane, also approaching the Interstate 75 entrance ramp. The semi-truck driver had a green left-turn arrow and began making a left turn onto the Interstate 75 entrance ramp.

The 20-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi-truck driver was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation by FHP.