State Enters 100 Deadliest Days of the Year
Senator Ashley Moody is urging road safety to protect Florida families as the state enters the 100 Deadliest Days of the year. The period from Memorial Day to Labor Day typically reflects an increase in travel and teen driving accidents. During this time frame in 2025, there were more than 650 fatal crashes in Florida:
“Like so many parents across Florida, I worry about safety every time someone I love gets behind the wheel. During the 100 Deadliest Days, there is an increase in fatal accidents involving teen drivers. That’s why I am urging all drivers to buckle up, put away phones, and never drive under the influence. I promise our world-class beaches, vibrant vacation towns, and all the fun Florida has to offer isn’t going anywhere – so drive safe and keep others in mind while on the road,” said Senator Ashley Moody.
BACKGROUND:
Fatal car crashes specifically involving teens typically increase during the 100 Deadliest Days. About 8 people per day are killed in teen-involved driving crashes over the summer versus the 7 per day during the rest of the year.
Even though fatal crashes and teen-involved fatalities remain a grave problem during the 100 Deadliest Days, Florida and the rest of the nation are making progress in this continued fight.
Florida’s fatal crashes declined from 2,891 in 2024 to 2,773 in 2025—a 4% decrease. According to a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic deaths nationwide fell to record lows in 2025 with an estimated 36,640 fatalities—a 6.7% decrease from 2024. NHTSA shared that 2025 marked the second-lowest traffic fatality rate in recorded history at 1.1 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
To help keep Florida families safe on the road this summer, Senator Moody is sharing the following safe-driving tips:
Put away phones and other potential distractions.
Always wear seatbelts and ensure children are in the appropriate car seat.
Talk to teen drivers about safe-driving habits.
Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
More helpful tips, statistics and information about staying safe during the 100 Deadly Days of Summer can be found on the FLHSMV Arrive Alive Crash Dashboard.
Camp Invention Coming to Arthur Boring Civic Center
A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame® in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention challenges children in grades K-6 to tap into their natural curiosity and use their creativity to solve problems. Through hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes STEM learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance, and resourcefulness; and encourages entrepreneurship — all in a fun and engaging environment.
Each year, the program features a new curriculum inspired by some of our nation’s most world-changing inventors — the National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees. This year’s Spark program encourages children to be confident in their ideas and explore their innovativeness through hands-on experiences including:
Space Morphers™: Kids build a DIY rocket and launch an epic mission to transform a new planet’s atmosphere, terrain, and ecosystem. After a high-energy Rover Race to collect samples and data, they grow dazzling crystal trees and hatch a mysterious animal egg in a Space Lab.
Make Waves™: Campers ride the waves of entrepreneurship and invention! Inspired by a surfer’s journey, they create prototypes, pitch their innovative products to hook investors and build a billboard boat to set sail and “make waves” in the market.
Fur-ensics™: Kids sharpen their animal detective skills with Cap E. Bara and a fleet of robotic capybaras. They investigate a trail of footprints, collect bits of fluffy fur, and examine suspicious splatters before forensically analyzing evidence that has a surprising twist.
The Infringers™: Campers use their invention superpowers to solve challenges in their community and around the world. They miniaturize top-secret innovations, safeguard their designs using cryptography and protect their intellectual property from the Infringers.
All local Camp Invention programs are facilitated and taught by qualified educators who reside and teach in the community. Camp Invention serves 140,000 students every year and partners with more than 2,600 schools and districts across the nation. For more information or to register, visit invent.org/camp.
Plant City Man Facing Charges in Fatal Hit and Run
On May 24, 2026, at 11:42 p.m., Hillsborough County deputies responded to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian near the intersection of South County Road 39 and Tipton Road in Plant City.
During the investigation, deputies learned two people were crossing the street when the driver, Daniel Mariano Jr., 27, changed lanes into the northbound lane and struck one of the pedestrians in the roadway.
Deputies learned the driver did not stop immediately before calling 911 to report he had struck a pedestrian. The driver was later located several miles away from the crash location.
The 19-year-old victim, who was from Plant City, was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
When deputies made contact with Mariano, they observed signs of impairment, including significant damage to his truck.
Mariano was arrested and charged with:
• Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death
• Violation of Probation – Resist with Violence
Additional charges are pending the results of a blood test.
“Memorial Day weekend should be a time spent making memories with loved ones, not mourning the loss of a life because of a reckless decision,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Driving under the influence puts everyone on the road at risk. This tragic and preventable crash is a heartbreaking reminder that impaired driving destroys lives and carries serious consequences.”
This is an active investigation, and any update will come from the Public Affairs Office.
