BRADENTON – FHP reported that a tragic early morning accident on Fort Hamer Road has left one young man dead. The accident, which occurred on July 14th at 3:04 AM at the boat launch located at 1605 Fort Hamer Road, is currently still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The accident began as the two young men involved, both 18 years old and from Bradenton Florida, were traveling south on Fort Hamer Road in a sedan approaching a curve in the road near Fort Hamer Park. For reasons unknown, the young driver failed to negotiate the curve. After failing to say on the lanes of travel, the vehicle entered the boat launch’s parking lot and continued forward toward the water where it plunged into the Manatee River.
While the driver managed to escape the sinking vehicle and swam to shore, the passenger tragically remained trapped in the car and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
This heartbreaking accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers water can pose to drivers. The river, canals and Gulf all provide amazing natural beauty in our area but can be extremely dangerous when things go wrong.
Our hearts go out to the families involved in this accident during this difficult time.
