Northbound Turnpike closed for hours after wrong-way crash in Palm City

MARTIN COUNTY – One person sustained life-threatening injuries Wednesday following a wrong-way crash on Florida’s Turnpike, officials said.

Martin County Fire Rescue crews just before 10 a.m. went to the crash in the northbound lanes in the area of the Palm City exit, according to Cory Pippin, fire rescue spokesperson.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office stated the lanes would be closed for several hours and that the Florida Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.

Lt. Indiana Miranda, FHP spokesperson, did not immediately return a phone call or e-mail.

Pippin said a person in a van thought to be traveling the wrong way on the northbound side was flown to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce with life-threatening injuries.

Another person, the driver of a semi, sustained minor injuries, he said.

It’s not the first wrong-way crash in recent weeks on the Treasure Coast.

Two people died following a wrong-way crash April 15 on Interstate 95 in northern St. Lucie County that caused the roadway to shut down, according to the FHP.

That crash happened as an 81-year-old Delray Beach man, who died after the crash, drove a Nissan Sentra north in the southbound lanes approaching Indrio Road. A Honda Civic or Accord was traveling south, and the two vehicles collided.

The Honda rotated before ending up on the center lane facing north.

A southbound 1999 semi tractor trailer on the center lane crashed with the Honda. The tractor trailer continued south and collided with a guardrail.

The Honda and semi tractor burned after the crash.

The Honda driver, whose identity was not immediately known, also died after the crash. A passenger in the Honda sustained “incapacitating injuries,” the FHP stated.

The semi driver, a 21-year-old Orlando man, sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

Mini bike incidents: 2 deaths, 4 incidents locally highlight importance of knowing rules about mini bikes

7-acre wildfire: Wildfire contained in Palm City; no injuries

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida's Turnpike closed after wrong-way crash in Palm City