SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Officials advise drivers to avoid South Tamiami Trail in Nokomis on Thursday as a fatal crash is investigated.
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) said it is assisting the Florida Highway Patrol with a crash into a structure at the intersection of South Tamiami Trail and Colonial Lane East in Nokomis.
FHP said an 81-year-old woman driving a Cadillac was traveling northbound on U.S. 41 and attempted to make a U-turn. The driver drove directly into the path of a Ram 3500 truck. The Cadillac was hit by the truck and, in the collision, was spun up against a storefront at the 900 block of U.S. 41.
The passenger in the Cadillac, a 63-year-old woman, died from her injuries. The driver was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and is in critical condition, FHP said.
Two southbound lanes of South Tamiami Trail were closed while the crash is investigated. They have reopened.
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