The Venice Gondolier reported recently on a motor vehicle accident that took place in the late evening hours of Monday, December 14, along Interstate 75 when a woman entered the highway going the wrong direction.
According to officials from the Florida Highway Patrol, a woman from Punta Gorda, 37 years of age, was driving a Hyundai Santa Fe compact SUV southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 75 between 10:40 p.m. and 10:50 p.m. EST on Monday evening near the Jacaranda exit at mile marker 194. Officials have not yet determined what made the woman drive the wrong way, but did note that the design of interchanges in the area made that very difficult to accomplish.
A man from Sun City, 21 years of age, was lawfully proceeding northbound in the northbound lanes in a Nissan Altima and was unable to avoid a head-on collision with the Santa Fe. He was killed and his passenger was critically injured. The passenger has not yet been identified and authorities have only been able to determine a rough range of 15-17 for her age.
The interstate was closed for several hours for cleanup and investigation by the FHP and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.