WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A crash involving a wrong-way driver on Interstate 95 claimed the life of an 81-year-old man from Broward County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The wreck happened at 3:36 a.m. on northbound I-95 just south of the Southern Boulevard exit in West Palm Beach.
The FHP said the wreck closed five northbound lanes. All lanes were not back open until 8:45 a.m.
A preliminary crash report said a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta 4-door sedan was traveling south in the outside lane of northbound I-95 in the wrong direction.
The FHP said the driver of the Jetta was a 20-year-old man from Sunrise, Florida.
Investigator said an 81-year-old man from Pompano Beach was driving a 2000 Toyota 4-Runner SUV north and could not avoid the Jetta.
The front of both vehicles hit each other, causing the SUV to overturn on its right side in the middle of the interstate.
The force of the collision caused the Jetta to hit a concrete wall and come to a rest.
The 81-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Jetta suffered injuries described as incapacitating. His name has not been released.
The FPH said the crash is still being investigated.
