PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – A traffic assistance call turned fatal Sunday night after a suspected drunk driver struck and killed a Florida Department of Transportation Road Ranger on Interstate 75.
The incident began following an initial two-vehicle crash on southbound I-75 near milepost 274 in Pasco County. FDOT Road Rangers responded to the scene to provide traffic assistance for the wreck. Shortly after their arrival, a 24-year-old Brandon man, who was working as a Road Ranger, went on foot to set up a lane closure.
State troopers report that an Acura MDX drove directly between two parked Road Ranger vehicles, striking the worker who was walking. The Road Ranger suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene of the crash.
The driver of the Acura, identified as 40-year-old Darren Christopher Jenkins of Bradenton, was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
Authorities charged Jenkins with DUI Manslaughter after he provided a breath sample resulting in a 0.334 blood alcohol level—more than four times the legal driving limit in Florida.
Following his arrest, Jenkins was delivered to the Pasco County Jail. The investigation forced the temporary closure of all southbound lanes, with state troopers confirming that “all southbound traffic is currently being diverted onto SR-56” during the scene response.
ORIGINAL REPORT: A fatal highway accident has ground traffic to a halt in Pasco County tonight.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, troopers are currently on the scene investigating a fatal crash on southbound Interstate 75. The collision occurred near milepost 274.
The investigation has forced an immediate closure of the highway. State troopers have confirmed that “all southbound traffic is currently being diverted onto SR-56” to bypass the scene.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of those involved, the number of vehicles implicated, or the specific cause of the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol noted that “additional details will be issued as they become available” as the active investigation continues. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.
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