Windermere man dies in early-morning Interstate 4 crash

James Gardiner Hodgskin, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene after sideswiping another vehicle and being ejected from his truck, troopers said.

By Danielle Hendrix
| 1:18 p.m. October 24, 2016

Southwest Orange
News

POLK COUNTY A Windermere man died in an early-morning car crash on Interstate 4 in Polk County on Sunday, Oct. 23.

According to a press release from Florida Highway Patrol, 24-year-old James Gardiner Hodgskin was driving his 2008 Ford F-250 eastbound on I-4 near the Polk/Osceola county line around 6:17 a.m. He then attempted to pass a 2008 Hyundai, driven by 22-year-old Yusuf Shabazz of Palm Bay, but ended up sideswiping Shabazz.

Hodgskin then appeared to lose control of his truck, which hit the median and overturned into the inside westbound shoulder, according to the report. Hodgskin was ejected from his truck and pronounced dead at the scene.

Shabazz and passenger Essence Torres, 20, also of Palm Bay, were uninjured.

The report states that alcohol was not a factor in this collision, but Hodgskin was not wearing a seatbelt.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].