TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The 25-year-old Safety Harbor, Fla. man who died after his car hit a tree and caught fire Tuesday has been identified.
The Florida Highway Patrol says that Joshua Montaad was driving his 2007 Ford Expedition northbound on U.S. Highway 19 north of Burley Brannen Road in Taylor County Tuesday morning when the car traveled off the road and onto a grass shoulder, before hitting a tree.
After the crash, the car caught fire and sustained fire damage.
The driver was pronounced dead on scene by Taylor County Paramedics.
The Florida Highway Patrol was assisted by Taylor County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the State Fire Marshall's Office, Taylor County Emergency Medical Services, and Taylor County Fire Department.
WTXL has recently learned that Montaad was a law enforcement officer with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement.
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement regarding his passing:
“Officer Joshua Albert Sanchez Montaad tragically lost his life in a fatal crash while in the line of duty. It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of such a dedicated and vibrant man who chose to make selflessly serving others his life’s work.
“I pray for Officer Montaad’s family, loved ones and colleagues during this time of sorrow, and may God be with us all as we grieve.”
Family members expressed their condolences on social media:
