A woman was killed and three others were injured in an accident on Tuesday after a vehicle was traveling on the wrong side of a Florida road. The Florida Highway Patrol has been investigating the fatal accident and troopers have commented that they believe alcohol was a factor in the incident.
According to reports, a 28-year-old Florida man was traveling north in the southbound lanes of State Road 9A around 1:20 a.m. The man was driving a Toyota FJ Cruiser when his vehicle struck a Toyota Scion. The head-on collision was then followed by another collision between the FJ Cruiser and a Nissan. The force of the accidents caused the FJ Cruiser to roll over several times before catching fire and coming to a stop.
Troopers believe that the FJ Cruiser may have been driving without the lights on Tuesday morning, making it difficult for the other drivers traveling southbound on 9A to see the oncoming vehicle.
A 57-year-old woman who was driving the Nissan did suffer minor injuries from the accident and was treated and released at Mayo Clinic. However, two women in the Scion were seriously injured and were taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. Unfortunately, the 20-year-old passenger of the vehicle later died from her injuries at the hospital. The 23-year-old driver of the Scion had to have surgery for broken wrists and a broken ankle. She was later listed in fair condition.
The wrong-way driver was also injured and suffered burns. Troopers are investigating if the man was intoxicated at the time of the accident.
One trooper who responded to the scene said, “When you look at the damage to the vehicles, it’s amazing more people weren’t killed.” Although the others involved may be fortunate to be alive, it is always devastating when someone is killed in an accident that could have been prevented. Not only was the driver of the FJ Cruiser traveling on the wrong side of the road at 1:20 a.m., but he may have also been drunk at the time of the crash.
Source:News 4Jax: “Woman Killed in 9A Wrong-Way Crash,” 19 Apr. 2011