POMPANO BEACH, FL – A devastating wrong-way crash in the early hours of Monday morning on State Road 91 (also known as Florida’s Turnpike) claimed the lives of two drivers and sent a third person to the hospital with serious injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
If you or a loved one has been injured in a wrong-way crash or serious car accident on State Road 91, speak with a Miami car accident lawyer to understand your rights. Time is critical in securing evidence, protecting your legal claims, and getting the medical care you need.
The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. just north of the Pompano Service Plaza, in Coconut Creek, where authorities say a 2004 Acura TL sedan was heading southbound in the northbound lanes of the Turnpike—creating a catastrophic head-on collision with a 2019 Mercedes A220 sedan traveling in the correct direction.
Impact and Aftermath:
- The force of the collision sent the Acura careening into a concrete barrier, where it burst into flames before coming to a stop on the inside shoulder.
- Drone footage captured by local news outlets showed debris and shattered glass littering the highway, with severe front-end damage visible on both vehicles.
- The impact was so violent that the engine of one vehicle was ejected from its bay, landing yards away on the expressway.
Casualties:
- Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene:
- A man from Jensen Beach, and
- A 19-year-old man from Seminole County.
Their names have not yet been released, pending family notification.
- A 22-year-old passenger in the Mercedes was rushed to Broward Health North Medical Center with serious injuries. His current condition is unknown.
Road Closures:
Multiple northbound lanes of State Road 91 were shut down for several hours as Florida Highway Patrol troopers conducted an on-site investigation. The Turnpike, a vital artery for South Florida traffic, connects Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties and is heavily used by both commuters and long-haul truckers.
The crash took place on a stretch of SR-91 known for its high-speed limits and limited lighting in some areas, which may have contributed to the difficulty in avoiding the oncoming wrong-way vehicle.
Ongoing Investigation:
Authorities are still working to determine how the Acura entered the Turnpike in the wrong direction. Wrong-way crashes on divided highways like SR-91 often involve driver impairment, confusion at entry ramps, or lack of clear signage—though FHP has not confirmed the cause in this case.
This tragic event underscores the dangers of high-speed wrong-way driving on major expressways like Florida’s Turnpike, which spans over 300 miles across the state and is one of the most heavily traveled toll roads in the U.S.
