DAVIE, Fla. – An investigation is underway, after an overnight wrong way wreck in Davie that left one person dead.
The crash happened along the southbound lanes of the Turnpike between Hollywood Boulevard and Griffin Road, at around 11:40 p.m., Sunday.
“We had a report of a wrong way driver, at which point we had units en route but unfortunately there was a tractor trailer that was not able to avoid that unit,” said Florida Highway Patrol Master Sergeant, Scott Hull.
According to authorities, a Hyundai Accent was traveling northbound on the southbound lanes of the highway with its headlights off before it crashed into the 18 wheeler. “We had reports of other vehicles narrowly missing this wrong way driver and that again, we heard that their lights weren’t on,” said Hull. “Their headlights weren’t activated, which made it even more difficult to spot.”
Officials said the vehicle hit the right side of the truck, causing it to overturn. The wrong way driver, later identified as 26-year-old Tzvi Yeheskel Ference, was pronounced dead on the scene.
The driver of the tractor trailer and his passenger were not injured.
A friend of one of the drivers who managed to avoid the wrong way driver told 7News her friend is lucky to be alive. “She just sounded really shocked that she was driving into the Florida Turnpike and they just saw a car coming to them,” said Gisella Hidalgo, “and from there we just went to see what’s going on here. She told me that they’re just lucky they didn’t hit the other car.”
The southbound lanes of the Turnpike were shut down for several hours but have since reopened. Meanwhile, FHP officials want to remind drivers to always be aware. “Drive defensively, expect the unexpected and please be careful,” said Hull.
Chesed Shel Emmes of Florida are working to ensure proper Kavod HaNiftar as police continue their investigation.
