A Tallahassee man has died in a grinding crash on Interstate Ten west of State Road 77 near Chipley in Washington County.

Killed was 48-year-old Robert R. Pate.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Pate was headed east on I-10 just before noon Saturday when he crashed into the rear of a semi-tractor trailer rig.

The semi driver told trooper he had his cruise control set at 68 Miles Per Hour. He felt what he described as a large explosion, looked into his review mirrors and saw dust and debris.

The semi-driver, identified as 76 year old Yerasimos Drakator of Holiday Florida says he pulled off into the emergency lane and saw Pate’s van stuck up under the trailer rig.

Troopers say Pate was pronounced dead at the scene by Washington County paramedics.