Fort Pierce - Monday April 15, 2024: A fatal crash on I-95 in St. Lucie County claimed the lives of 2 people this morning.
It happened in the southbound lanes of I-95 near the near Indrio Road exit. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Troopers arrived at the scene at 4:47 a.m. Ten minutes later they ordered a full closure of all south-bound lanes, as well as a partial closure of 2 north-bound lanes.
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reports that an 81-year-old Delray Beach man was driving the wrong way, traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-95 in a Nissan Sentra.
The Sentra struck the left side of an oncoming Honda sedan. It then "rotated northeast" and hit a concrete wall. The 81-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not yet been released.
The Honda spun around and ended up facing north in the center lane as a southbound 1999 International tractor trailer approached. The left front of the tractor trailer struck the left front of the Honda. Both burst into flames after the impact. Both ended up in the center median.
The driver of the tractor trailer was a 21 year old man from Orlando. He suffered "non incapacitating injuries," reported FHP.
There were two people inside the Honda. The driver died. His identity has yet "to be determined due to the fire," states the FHP release. The passenger suffered "incapacitating injuries."
South-bound traffic on I-95 was directed off the interstate at Route 60 in Vero Beach. The southbound lanes were eventually re-opened shortly after noon today.
