Vermont Man, 87, Dies in Florida Highway Incident While Saving Turtle
On July 6, 2025, Frank Quinn, an 87-year-old resident, reportedly of Dorset, Vermont, tragically lost his life on Interstate 95 in Indian River County, Florida, while attempting to rescue a turtle from the busy highway.
Known to many as Francis J. Quinn, his selfless act, though fatal, resonates deeply with Vermonters, reflecting the state’s deep-rooted compassion for nature and wildlife—a trait many here would call “very Vermont.
”The incident occurred around 4:20 p.m. near mile marker 157, just north of CR-512 (Sebastian Boulevard) in Sebastian, Florida. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Quinn was crossing the southbound lanes of I-95 when a Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by a man from Port St. Lucie, slowed to avoid him. A second vehicle, reportedly a black Mazda CX-9 driven by a woman from Miami, failed to stop in time and rear-ended the Dodge Ram.
The collision forced the truck off the roadway, where it struck a fence and fatally hit Quinn. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No injuries were reported among the drivers or passengers of the involved vehicles.The crash led to a significant disruption, with all southbound lanes of I-95 closed for over four hours, causing extensive traffic delays captured by Florida Department of Transportation cameras.
Traffic resumed around 8:30 p.m., but the incident left a lasting impact on the community, both in Florida and back home in Vermont. A Compass Vermont search reportedly confirms Quinn, who lived at 77 Dorset Hollow Rd, Dorset, VT, was 87 years old, aligning with reports from some Florida outlets like WPTV, which identified him as Frank J. Quinn.
However, most Florida media, including CBS12, Miami Herald, and ClickOrlando, initially reported his age as 77, creating confusion. The discrepancy likely stems from early reporting errors, but the Vermont search, coupled with WPTV’s claim of investigator confirmation, strongly suggests Quinn was indeed 87.
\His address history, including past residences in Vero Beach, Florida. and Arlington, Vermont, paints a picture of a man with deep ties to both Vermont and Florida. For Vermonters, Quinn’s decision to stop and save a turtle, even on a dangerous highway, feels quintessentially local. Vermont’s rural ethos and love for the natural world often inspire residents to act as stewards of the environment, whether it’s rescuing wildlife or preserving the Green Mountains’ beauty.
As the investigation unfolds, the Dorset community mourns a man whose final act embodied the compassion that defines Vermont.For more information, see reports from CBS12, Miami Herald, and ClickOrlando.