Columbia County, FL -- December 13, 2011 --

A Tuesday afternoon, two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 claimed the life of an Alabama woman near the Interstate 75 interchange in Columbia County.

According to FHP Investigators and witnesses, 41-year-old Julie L. Laughridge of Sylacauga, Alabama was initially traveling west on I-10 in the area of MM 299, or approximately 1.5 miles east of I-75, when
she slowed her 2003 Volkswagon Jetta and attempted to pull over into the outside emergency lane to check her phone's GPS for
directions.

As she entered into the emergency lane, a 1991 Toyota pick-up truck being driven by 87-year-old Edward C. Harvey, of Perry, Florida, who was approaching her vehicle from behind, also entered into the emergency lane (most probably attempting to avoid striking her vehicle in the roadway as she slowed).

Harvey's pick-up truck then collided into the rear-end of Laughridge's vehicle, front to rear, causing extensive crush damage to both vehicles. After impact, both vehicles traveled onto the north / right grassy shoulder, where they came to rest.

Laughridge was pronounced as deceased at the scene of this collision and Harvey was transported to Shands Trauma Center in Gainesville, Florida for emergency medical care and is listed in critical
condition.