Two Florida Women Killed in Wrong Way Accident on I-95

A head-on collision Saturday night has left two Pompano Beach residents dead. Two females in their early 20’s were in the southbound lanes of I-95 when their Toyota Matrix collided head-on with a northbound 2006 Jeep Cherokee. Upon impact, both of the vehicles caught fire. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames by the time first responders reached the scene of the accident.

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries, and his identity is currently not known.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation and officials have not said whether alcohol had played a role in the crash. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, wrong way accidents are relatively uncommon. They only account for approximately 3% of all highway accidents nationally every year. The real danger with head-on collisions is that the force of the impact in these types of accidents is quite large. And, because they involve the direct impact of one vehicle into another, instead of a glancing blow, fatalities often occur.

It is very difficult to identify drivers who mistakenly enter the interstate and begin heading the wrong way at night. Most interstate highways have multiple lanes of traffic headed in both directions, and often those lanes are only separated by a median that is approximately 40-50 feet wide. At night it is difficult to see that the headlights from an approaching car may be in the same lane you are traveling in. The high-posted speed limits on highways mean that car will be traveling faster and the reaction time will be significantly shortened for those in danger. Stretches of interstate that involve twists or turns can be even more dangerous, as the line of sight for a driver is significantly diminished.

The best way for drivers to protect themselves from these types of incidents is to always be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary while driving. The Florida Highway Patrol recommends that drivers stay alert to their surroundings when traveling the highways, especially at night. Animals, pedestrians and other vehicles may suddenly appear in your path and require immediate correct action by the driver. If in doubt, slow down. If you detect an oncoming vehicle in your lane steer to the right shoulder of the road if the path is clear and you can safely do so. Above all, always wear your seat belt.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a wrong way accident, please contact James O. Cunningham today – 386-243-4994.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.