Advertisement

Troopers: New York man dies after falling through hole in RV

 
A 52-year-old man died Sunday when the recreational vehicle he was in crashed into a guard rail, ripping a hole in its side. The man, who was a passenger inside the vehicle, fell through the hole onto the road. [Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol]
A 52-year-old man died Sunday when the recreational vehicle he was in crashed into a guard rail, ripping a hole in its side. The man, who was a passenger inside the vehicle, fell through the hole onto the road. [Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol]
Published Feb. 25, 2018

A New York man died on Interstate 75 in Sumter County on Sunday after falling through a hole that opened in the cabin of a recreational vehicle when it collided with a guardrail, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Keith Hertik, 52, of Bay Shore, N.Y., was a passenger inside a 1994 Ford RV driven by Joseph Rapoza, 31, of Bradenton, troopers said.

Rapoza lost control of the vehicle near the 325 milepost, just south of where I-75 meets the Florida Turnpike, colliding with the guard rail on the left side of the road. The collision ripped an opening in the side of the vehicle behind the driver's seat.

Hertik, who was positioned behind the driver's seat, fell through the hole as the vehicle was moving. He was pronounced dead at Ocala Regional Medical Center.

Rapoza, who was not injured, stopped the vehicle after the collision. Alcohol did not contribute to the crash, troopers said.