PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- A fatal accident closed US 17 (Duncan Road) in Punta Gorda on Wednesday evening.

The Florida Highway Patrol has reported that the crash involved a semi-truck and a KIA Sportage.

The semi-truck was stopped on US 17, possibly due to a mechanical failure. The hazard lights were activated. The KIA did not notice the stopped truck until it was too late.

The passenger of the KIA, 56-year-old Walter Kujawinski, was pronounced deceased as the scene at 5:40 p.m. The driver of the KIA was transported to Charlotte Regional Medical with serious injuries.

The passenger of the semi-truck was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.