Two people died and two others suffered serious injuries after two wrong-way crashes occurred back-to-back early Sunday morning on Florida’s Turnpike in Miami-Dade County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
FHP said the first crash happened around 4 a.m. in the northbound lanes near Bird Road. A blue Honda traveling south in the northbound lanes crashed head-on into a silver Toyota.
Both vehicles were left disabled and blocking the roadway. Moments later, a white Toyota — also driving south in the northbound lanes — slammed into the disabled vehicles and a responding FHP vehicle, officials said.
A video posted by the social media page ONLYinDADE captured the moments just before the second collision.
FHP confirmed that the drivers of the Honda and the silver Toyota from the initial crash died at the scene. The two people in the white Toyota were airlifted to Kendall HCA with serious injuries. The trooper at the scene was outside their vehicle during the second crash and was not injured.
All northbound lanes were closed, and traffic was redirected onto Bird Road while troopers investigated.
Florida’s Efforts to Prevent Wrong-Way Crashes
Across the state, several projects aim to reduce wrong-way crashes. These include detection-based countermeasures, improved signage and road markings, and dynamic message signs to warn drivers.
Officials told CBS News Miami that the goal is to “detect, alert and deter these moves before a crash occurs.”
FHP has not yet released the identities of those involved, and the crashes remain under investigation.
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