Apopka teen killed in crash on Florida's Turnpike near Gotha

GOTHA  A 16-year-old Apopka teen was killed early Sunday morning when he was struck by a car on Florida’s Turnpike, near Gotha.

According to a police report, Sanjay Nandram was involved in a fender-bender in the northbound lanes just a few minutes earlier and had gotten out of his car to speak with the other vehicle’s passengers. He then walked back to put on his emergency flashers. 

At 6:40 a.m., while standing on the east shoulder by the passenger side of his car, he was hit by a 2005 Nissan driven by 32-year-old Orlando resident Tanya Garcia.

Garcia, who was also traveling northbound, told troopers that she had fallen asleep at the wheel, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Charges are pending against Garcia. The crash remains under investigation.

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].