Volusia County, FL — A tragic single-vehicle crash along Interstate 4 claimed the life of a 38-year-old DeLand man late Wednesday night, according to a report released by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
The deadly accident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. on the eastbound lanes of I-4, just west of DeBary Avenue in Volusia County. Troopers say the crash happened in a relatively quiet stretch of the interstate, where visibility was normal and weather conditions were stable.
Vehicle Veered Off Road for Unknown Reasons
Investigators say the man had been driving a 2018 Honda Civic when, for reasons that remain unclear, the vehicle suddenly left the roadway. The car continued off the paved shoulder, striking a fence and then colliding with two trees, causing catastrophic damage.
FHP has not yet determined what caused the driver to drift off the interstate. Troopers are reviewing all possible factors, including driver impairment, fatigue, medical emergency, mechanical failure, or an evasive maneuver.
However, officials emphasized that no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Driver Pronounced Dead at the Scene
Despite being properly restrained by a seat belt, the impact was so severe that the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the FHP crash report.
Emergency responders from local fire rescue units and law enforcement agencies arrived quickly after receiving 911 calls from passing motorists, but the victim could not be revived.
The identity of the man has not yet been publicly released, pending notification of next of kin.
Investigation Still in Early Stages
As of Thursday morning, authorities have not released any additional details about the events leading up to the crash. FHP typically conducts a multi-layered investigation for fatal incidents, including photographing the scene, reviewing roadway evidence, analyzing tire marks, and examining the vehicle for potential mechanical defects.
Troopers may also pull data from the vehicle’s onboard computer — sometimes called the “black box” — which can provide engineering-level details such as speed, braking behavior, steering input, and seat belt status moments before impact.
The area where the crash took place is not known for frequent fatal accidents, but I-4 has long been considered one of the busiest and most challenging roadways in Florida, especially during nighttime travel.
Roadway Cleared Overnight
Following the collision, law enforcement temporarily restricted a lane of traffic while investigators worked the scene and crews cleared debris. All lanes were reopened later in the night without major delays to motorists.
Officials are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen the vehicle driving moments before the incident to contact the Florida Highway Patrol. Even small observations, they said, could help piece together what caused the fatal departure from the roadway.
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