A toddler inside the parked car was unharmed and reunited with family following the Thursday afternoon collision.
MIRAMAR, FL — A driver changing a flat tire along the shoulder of northbound Interstate 75 was struck and killed by another vehicle Thursday afternoon near Miramar Parkway, leaving a 2-year-old child unhurt inside the disabled vehicle, state troopers said.
The fatal collision occurred during the Thursday evening rush hour, prompting an immediate response from emergency personnel and forcing troopers to shut down three rightward northbound lanes. The situation called for urgent traffic control and specialized investigation as law enforcement worked to piece together how a passing vehicle drifted onto the shoulder. Florida Highway Patrol officers quickly prioritized securing the scene, evaluating the child, and locating family members, while traffic delays stretched back several miles along the major South Florida highway corridor.
First responders arrived at the scene just north of Miramar Parkway shortly after receiving reports of a pedestrian struck on the shoulder. Investigators determined the victim had pulled over to replace a damaged tire on the right side of the interstate when another vehicle struck him in the emergency lane. Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene from severe trauma. Inside the parked vehicle, emergency crews discovered the 2-year-old child sitting safely in a restraint system, completely unharmed physically during the force of the nearby impact. Law enforcement officers immediately sheltered the toddler while traffic homicide investigators began documenting skid marks and vehicle positions along the roadway.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers confirmed that notification of next of kin was completed shortly after the incident, allowing the young child to be released to the mother at the scene. Investigators with the Traffic Homicide Investigation unit spent hours gathering physical evidence, photographing the tire-changing equipment, and interviewing the driver of the striking vehicle. Authorities have not publicly identified the deceased driver or the driver who struck him, citing pending notifications and the active state of the inquiry. Investigators are working to determine whether distracted driving, mechanical failure, or excessive speed contributed to the vehicle leaving its travel lane and hitting the parked car and pedestrian.
High-speed interstate shoulders present persistent safety risks throughout Broward County, where vehicle breakdowns frequently coincide with heavy traffic volume and narrow emergency lanes. Transportation safety records show that highway shoulder collisions often result in critical injuries or fatalities, particularly when drivers exit their vehicles to address mechanical problems like flat tires or engine failures. Law enforcement officials consistently emphasize that motorists experiencing emergencies on major highways should remain inside their vehicles with seatbelts fastened if possible or seek elevated barrier protection while waiting for professional roadside assistance, rather than performing roadside repairs directly beside active travel lanes.
The Florida Highway Patrol maintains an open traffic homicide investigation into the crash, with investigators reviewing vehicle data logs and physical evidence to decide whether criminal charges or traffic citations will be filed. State prosecutors will evaluate the completed investigation once troopers present their final findings regarding driver speed, lane maintenance, and potential driver distraction. The investigation remains in its early stages as toxicological reports and mechanical evaluations of both vehicles are processed through state laboratories. Law enforcement officials indicated that updates regarding potential charges or formal findings will be released upon completion of the official crash reconstruction report.
As evening operations wrapped up, emergency vehicles cleared the disabled car and debris from the right lanes of Interstate 75, allowing normal traffic flow to resume near Miramar Parkway. First responders confirmed that the 2-year-old child left the scene in stable condition under the care of family members. A comprehensive crash report from state investigators is expected in the coming weeks.
Author note: Last updated September 4, 2026.