ORLANDO, Fla. – A vehicle crashed into two cars stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 4, pushing a 38-year-old woman over the highway barricade to her death below, according to the Orlando Police Department.
The victim, identified as Michelle Batista of Jacksonville, and another driver were involved in a crash Friday morning on I-4 near West Central Boulevard, police said.
The drivers pulled over on the shoulder of the road and Batista was standing next to a concrete wall on the overpass when a third vehicle hit one of the cars involved in the first crash, pushing Batista’s car into her, police said. Due to the impact of the crash, Batista was thrown over the wall and onto North Garland Avenue, police told WKMG-TV.
A crash victim is thrown off an I-4 overpass in Orlando after being struck by a second car.
Batista was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died, officials said.
In a GoFundMe page to benefit Batista’s three children, Brittney Mink said her sister was a single mother and she worked at Mayo Clinic.
“My goal is to continue to provide the life my sister has worked so hard to achieve for them. All your generous donations will go directly to the kids so they can continue to honor her memory and make her most proud,” Mink wrote.
Authorities have not said whether anyone will face charges in the crash. Orlando Sgt. David Baker said drivers should pay close attention to their surroundings and stay off the road if possible.
“Unfortunately, some people drive distracted. They don’t pay attention, they may not see you, so certainly we want people to stay off the roadway, to stay in their cars,” Baker said.
Baker said Florida law requires drivers to move their vehicles out of the roadway, if possible. after a crash.