Wrong-Way Crash Driver Dies, Victim Significantly Injured

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, although wrong-way collisions are rare, especially when compared to other accidents, including head-on crashes, they tend to be fatal. Wrong-way collisions occur most often at night, on weekends, and in the lanes closest to the median. The fatality rate in wrong-way collisions has remained unchanged for several years. Statistics state that wrong-way accidents are caused often caused by intoxication in 60% of the time. Older drivers tend to be “over-represented” in wrong-way collisions. Some advise that prevention efforts should be focused on traffic control devices, wrong-way signage, interstate designs, and anti-drunk driving campaigns.

CBS Local Miami reports that a wrong-way collision has resulted in a death in Pametto-Miami Gardens.

The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 A.M. in the eastbound lanes of State Road 826 near NW 47 Avenue in Miami Gardens.

23-year-old Joshua Harrigan was lucky to survive the accident that claimed the life of 28-year-old Amelia Costa Thompson.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Thompson was driving the wrong way, heading westbound in the eastbound lanes. Thompson’s Mazda Hatchback slammed into Harrigan’s Dodge Pickup Truck head-on.

Thompson was driving at such a high speed that the truck flipped over.

Thompson was declared deceased at the scene. Harrigan suffered from broken bones in his legs but he is expected to recover from his injuries. At this time, investigators do not know why Thompson was driving the wrong way.