Suspect Charged in Death of Lecanto Man After Horrific Crash

HERNANDO (CITRUS) – One person died Sunday after a horrific crash on North Carl G Rose Highway.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Ford F150 was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed and passing several vehicles on the shoulder, when it collided with the rear of a Honda Accord. The collision propelled the Honda into a bridge rail and a Ford F150 traveling northbound. The driver of the Honda, a 62-year-old Lecanto man was transported to a local hospital where he later died. The driver of the pickup truck, a 42-year-old Beverly Hills man suffered only minor injuries.

Following the collision, the driver who caused the crash, 31-year-old Robert Brandon Vanzant of Lady Lake, fled the scene. Troopers located Vansant a short time later hiding in a field. He was taken into custody and charged with DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Leaving the Scene with Death and Injuries. Vanzant was not injured in the crash.

Vanzant has a long history of arrests and was charged in 2019 with trafficking meth while living in Paducah, Kentucky.