FHP: Good Samaritan fatally struck on Interstate 95 in Volusia County

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 59-year-old Port Saint Lucie man was fatally struck early Tuesday on Interstate 95 north of Ormond Beach while trying to help a South Carolina family who was involved in a crash, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Someone was driving a red vehicle north on I-95 shortly before 1:30 a.m. when the driver hit a Toyota SUV while changing lanes, causing the SUV to strike a guardrail and overturn, Sgt. Kim Montes said.

The driver of the red vehicle didn't stop, Montes said.

Someone driving a tractor-trailer south on I-95 pulled over and the driver's passenger, Efrain Merced, got out to help the family who was involved in the crash, troopers said.

Christopher Doobbs, 24, of New Jersey, was driving a Toyota car north on I-95 when he struck the overturned SUV and fatally struck Merced, investigators said.

"It's dark in the area," Montes said. "(Doobbs) says he didn't see them until it was too late. So unfortunately, we had a good Samaritan lose his life today."

Troopers said Doobs and the family in the SUV -- Rodrine Buffaloe, 40, Leon Buffaloe, 46, Leon Buffaloe, 6, Naomi Buffaloe, 5 -- had minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

No other details were given.

Cox Media Group