Under Fla. Stat. § 316.126, Florida’s Move Over law tells drivers to leave the lane next to a stopped emergency vehicle when it is safe, and to slow down when it is not. When a death follows a crash, Fla. Stat. § 768.20 has the personal representative bring the wrongful death claim for the family, generally within two years under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(e). Questions about either rule? Call 888-PERAZZO. See our wrongful death lawyer page for how these claims proceed.
What Happened on I-95 Near Lantana Road
The Perazzo Law Firm has learned, according to CBS12, that a 23-year-old Road Ranger from West Palm Beach died at the scene of a crash on northbound I-95 near Lantana Road in Palm Beach County. CBS12 reports the crash happened around 2:07 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, while troopers were handling an earlier crash just south of Lantana Road. The Road Ranger’s name was not released, and CBS12 notes that Road Rangers are civilian workers, not state troopers.
According to CBS12’s account of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) findings, a marked FHP Dodge Charger sat across the two leftmost northbound lanes with its emergency lights on for a lane closure. A 2019 Mercedes sedan driven by an 18-year-old Lake Worth woman entered the closure, struck the Road Ranger, then rotated and hit the cruiser. CBS12 says she was taken to JFK South with injuries FHP described as non-incapacitating. FHP is investigating, and no cause or fault has been announced.
What the Move Over Law Says
Under Fla. Stat. § 316.126(1)(b), drivers approaching certain vehicles stopped on or beside the road must act as soon as it is safe. The listed vehicles include an authorized emergency vehicle parked with visual signals displayed, along with sanitation, utility, wrecker, and road-maintenance vehicles and certain disabled vehicles.
- Multi-lane roads such as I-95: vacate the lane closest to the stopped vehicle, unless an officer directs otherwise.
- If the lane change cannot be safely made: reduce speed as provided in the statute’s speed rule, subparagraph 2.
The subsection’s text, per the Florida Legislature’s statute page, does not name Road Ranger vehicles.
Civil Claims After a Death on the Road
A traffic investigation is separate from a civil claim. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.19, a person whose wrongful act, negligence, or default causes a death can be liable for damages that the injured person could have pursued had they lived.
Under Fla. Stat. § 768.20, the action is brought by the decedent’s personal representative for the benefit of the survivors and the estate. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(e), an action for wrongful death must be brought within two years, subject to the exceptions in that section.
People injured in a crash may have claims of their own. Our car accident lawyer in Miami page covers how those cases work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Move Over law cover Road Rangers?
The text of Fla. Stat. § 316.126(1)(b) lists authorized emergency vehicles, sanitation, utility, wrecker, and road-maintenance vehicles, and certain disabled vehicles. It does not name Road Ranger vehicles.
Who files a wrongful death claim in Florida?
According to Fla. Stat. § 768.20, the decedent’s personal representative brings the action for the survivors and the estate.
How long do families have to file?
Two years in most cases, under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(e). Exceptions exist, so confirm the deadline for your situation.
Talk With The Perazzo Law Firm
If your family lost someone in a crash, call 888-PERAZZO or request a FREE case evaluation. This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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