TITUSVILLE, Fla. — A 20-year-old woman died after an alligator in the middle of Interstate 95 set off a chain-reaction crash late Sunday night in Titusville, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened just before midnight in the southbound lanes of I-95, south of State Road 50.

Troopers said a 58-year-old man from Canada was driving south in the center lane when he spotted an alligator in the roadway.

The driver was unable to avoid the animal and struck it. The alligator died as a result of the crash, according to FHP.

“I’m wondering how he got on there?” traveler Ronnie Stacy said.

Troopers said the 20-year-old Palm Bay woman, who was driving a Toyota Tacoma, was traveling behind the Canadian driver when she encountered the crash.

Troopers said the woman swerved, lost control of the Tacoma and overturned.

She was ejected from the truck.

A third driver then ran over the woman and did not stop, according to FHP.

The woman died at the scene.

Troopers said she was not wearing a seat belt, which resulted in her being thrown from the truck. FHP officials said the crash serves as a reminder for drivers to always buckle up.

The Canadian driver was not injured and remained at the scene.

Drivers said encountering an animal unexpectedly on a dark highway can leave drivers with only seconds to react.

“Your natural reaction, regardless if you see a dog, cat, or an alligator, is to swerve,” driver Jill White said.

But swerving to avoid an animal can create additional dangers for drivers and others on the road.

“My reaction would be the same thing, and unfortunately, somebody else got hurt for it,” White said.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.