In Florida, it is against the law for a minor to ride in the back of a pickup truck unless there are seatbelts. However, as long as those in the back of the pickup truck are over 18, there are no restrictions on how many people can ride in the bed of a pickup. The Children’s Safety Network says that there are 50 children killed each year in accidents where they were riding in the back of pickup trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than half of the deaths resulting from riding in the bed of a pickup truck are children and teens.
WJHG reports on a crash that killed an Alabama teen after he fell from the bed of the pickup truck.
The crash happened on Tuesday morning in Walton County, Florida. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Ford F-150 was heading north on Highway 331, south of Bay Grove Road when 15-year-old Kaden Johnson fell from the bed of the truck onto the roadway. Johnson was then struck by a second vehicle that was unable to stop in time. The second vehicle stopped to render aid, but the driver of the F-150 continued.
The driver of the truck, 19-year-old Allison Hogan, said she was not aware that Johnson had fallen out of the truck. Charges are pending at this time.
