A 71-year-old woman was killed, and a 66-year-old man was seriously injured, after their SUV was rear-ended during a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in Brevard County.
The fatal collision occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, in the southbound lanes of I-95, just north of Deering Parkway near Mile Marker 231, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol
The report stated that three vehicles – a Chevrolet Equinox, Ford F-150, and Buick Lacrosse – were traveling in the inside southbound lane, while an unknown semi-truck with a possibly orange cab and trailer was stopped in the center lane.
Due to traffic that was stopped ahead, the Ford and Buick came to a complete stop, and the 66-year-old driver of the Chevrolet began slowing down.
Moments later, an Acura RDX driven by a 24-year-old woman reportedly failed to stop. As a result, the front of her vehicle proceeded to strike the Chevrolet’s rear section.
The impact caused the Acura to rotate, and its right rear side collided with the trailer of the stopped semi-truck. A separate impact occurred when the Ford was pushed forward into the rear of the stopped Buick.
As a result of the initial collision, the Acura and Chevrolet veered off the roadway and onto the inside shoulder, where both vehicles struck the guardrail. The Chevrolet then “partially overturned over the guardrail,” according to the report.
The Chevrolet’s 71-year-old female passenger sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The vehicle’s 66-year-old male driver was airlifted to a local hospital in serious condition.
The Buick’s driver, a 26-year-old woman, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The 53-year-old male driver of the Ford and the Acura’s 24-year-old female driver were not hurt, and they both remained at the scene.
Following the crash, the unknown semi-truck reportedly continued traveling southbound on I-95 and left the area.
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the fatal multi-vehicle collision to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash remains under investigation, according to FHP.