NORTH VENICE — A North Port man was killed Saturday evening in a crash on southbound Interstate 75 near Laurel Road.
The man, identified as a 70-year-old, was a passenger in a sedan being driven southbound by a 72-year-old North Port woman, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
The driver had been in the left lane when the crash occurred.
“(The driver) swerved left to avoid slowing traffic,” FHP stated in a news release. “(The vehicle) entered the median and collided with the tree line.”
The driver suffered “serious injuries” and was transported to a hospital. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
The southbound lanes of the interstate were closed for about an hour after the crash and then only one lane was reopened while emergency workers were at the scene.
“The crash remains under investigation,” FHP stated.