MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — WPTV is learning more about a wrong-way crash on Interstate 95 that killed two people early Saturday morning in Martin County.
The fatal crash occurred at 2:47 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-95 at mile marker 109, according to a report by the Florida Highway Patrol.
WATCH BELOW: 2 killed in fatal wrong-way crash on I-95
Investigators said a 25-year-old woman from Port St. Lucie was driving a gray 2022 Toyota Rav4 southbound in the inside northbound lane of the interstate.
A second vehicle, a red 2025 Nissan Altima driven by a 39-year-old man from Daytona Beach, was traveling north in the inside northbound lane.
A third vehicle, a blue 2006 Toyota Tacoma driven by a 57-year-old man from Port St. Lucie, was also traveling north in the northbound lanes of I-95.
FHP said the woman driving the wrong way hit the Altima head-on. After the collision, the woman's RAV4 veered off the road to the left and came to rest on the inside shoulder, facing southwest.
The Altima rotated clockwise, crossing the northbound lanes to the right. It then entered the outside paved shoulder and came to rest on the grassy shoulder.
According to troopers, the Tacoma swerved to the left to avoid debris on the road. In doing so, the Tacoma ran off the road to the left, entered the grassy median and hit a tree.
The drivers of the Altima and Tacoma were pronounced dead at the scene by Martin County Fire Rescue.
The female driver was taken to Lawnwood Hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening. Her condition has not been released.
Investigators have not released the names of any of the people involved in the wreck. The report did not say how fast the wrong-way driver was traveling at the time of the collision.
WPTV spoke briefly with a relative of the victim from Port St. Lucie. She said the family did not want to comment on the crash at this time.
Sheriff reminds drivers to avoid distractions
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said incidents like this impact him personally.
"It could be our families out there driving the speed limit up I-95, minding their own business, when all of a sudden a vehicle is right there," Budensiek said while smacking his hand for emphasis.
The sheriff said the county's fatality numbers are higher so far this year.
"You never have the opportunity to click off mentally," Budensiek. "I know people are distracted by their phones. They're lost in thought driving down the road."
AVOIDING WRONG-WAY DRIVERS: Here's what an expert recommends
WPTV reporter Jon Shainman spoke with a local driving instructor who shared some tips on what you can do if you find yourself faced with a wrong-way driver.
John Bolen, the owner of A Treasure Coast Driving School, has been keeping people safe on the roads for nearly four decades.
Bolen said driving is about "being here ... but seeing down there" and understanding what you're driving into.
He explained that a car traveling 70 mph is going 105 feet per second, so if you have enough time to see someone coming at you, get as far to the right as possible.
"If it was to be in the grass on I-95, I would certainly take that option as to being in a lane of travel with a car coming at me from the opposite direction," Bolen said.
