Altoona, Florida — A tragic collision in Lake County ended with the death of an 80-year-old woman on Wednesday afternoon, after investigators say she was hit by a vehicle driven by a 96-year-old woman backing out of a parking space. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) confirmed the fatal incident occurred around 2:24 p.m. near Potters Court and Lakeview Terrace Drive in the Altoona community.
According to troopers, both the victim and the driver were residents of the Altoona area.
FHP: Driver Reversed Without Seeing Pedestrian
A crash report from FHP outlines the sequence of events: a Ford Edge was positioned in a parking lot on Potters Court, just west of Lakeview Terrace Drive. At the same moment, the 80-year-old pedestrian was walking through the lot in a southeasterly direction, directly behind the parked Ford.
Troopers say the 96-year-old driver began reversing her SUV eastward out of the space. Because she did not see the pedestrian behind her, the rear of the vehicle made direct impact with the woman.
The pedestrian suffered severe injuries and was immediately airlifted to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital. Despite medical efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Driver Not Injured, Remains at Scene
FHP confirmed that the SUV driver was not injured during the collision. She remained at the scene and cooperated fully with responding troopers, as per ClickOrlando.
Authorities have not released the names of either the victim or the driver, consistent with state protocols regarding privacy and next-of-kin notifications.
Impact of Age and Awareness in Parking Lot Crashes
While Florida regularly reports pedestrian injuries and deaths, collisions involving drivers over 90 years old remain relatively rare. Safety experts have long noted that parking lots — though low-speed environments — carry their own risks due to tight spaces, heavy foot traffic, limited lines of sight, and distractions.
In this case, troopers say visibility played a central role. Reversing incidents are particularly dangerous for elderly pedestrians, who may have slower reaction times or difficulty moving out of a vehicle’s path.
An increasing number of modern vehicles are equipped with rear cameras, sensors, and emergency braking systems, but officials did not specify whether the Ford Edge involved in this crash had any such features or whether they were in use.
Scene Response and Ongoing Investigation
Paramedics, air rescue crews, and multiple patrol units responded to the scene within minutes. The parking lot area was partially blocked off as investigators documented distance measurements, impact points, and vehicle position — all necessary components of a standard fatal crash investigation.
FHP has confirmed that the case remains under investigation, and no charges have been announced. Determining whether human error, age-related limitations, or other contributing factors played a role will be part of the agency’s full review.
Community Shocked by Rare Altoona Tragedy
Altoona, a small unincorporated community in Lake County, sees far fewer traffic fatalities compared to surrounding regions. Wednesday’s incident has left many residents shaken, both due to the ages of those involved and the circumstances of the crash.
Local safety advocates emphasize the importance of extra caution in parking lots — especially for elderly drivers and pedestrians — where even small misjudgments can lead to devastating outcomes.
A tragedy like this raises tough questions about safety, aging drivers, and pedestrian awareness.
Share your thoughts in the comments: Should Florida have stricter testing or renewal requirements for drivers over a certain age?
