PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A woman was killed and a 3-year-old child was seriously injured in Port St. Lucie after they were hit by a wrong-way driver Sunday night, police said.
The crash happened at about 7:05 p.m. at Northwest St. James Drive and Northeast Charleston Oaks Drive with serious injuries.
Investigators said their preliminary investigation revealed that a red 2023 Kia Soul was traveling south in the northbound lanes of Northeast St. James Drive.
At the same time, a 2002 Toyota Camry was traveling north in the northbound lanes of Northeast St. James Drive.
Both vehicles collided head-on just south of the intersection of Northeast Charleston Oaks Drive.
Police said the driver of the Toyota was properly restrained and sustained minor injuries.
A 3-year-old was not in a car seat but was restrained in a seat belt in the rear right seat and sustained serious injuries. The child was stabilized at Lawnwood Medical Center before being airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
Police said Beatrice Saturne, 40, was in the middle of the rear seat of the Toyota and not wearing a seat belt. She was taken to Lawnwood Medical Center with serious injuries but was later pronounced dead.
The driver of the Kia was taken to a local hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening.
Police said it does not appear that impairment or speed were factors in the crash, but the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
AREA RESIDENTS REFLECT ON DEADLY WRECK
WPTV reporter Tyler Hatfield spoke with residents on Monday in the area where the crash occurred.
Glenn Levy said he could see the incident from his backyard.
"You can see police lights and actually heard a chopper pass over by," Levy said. "All I saw was a car sideways."
Levy hasn't seen a crash on St. James Drive like this in the two years he has lived here. He was hopeful that this would be the last one.
However, Richard Jaworski, who also lives near the crash, said its one of too many deadly crashes on St. James Drive.
"You can go down the street, you'll see the number of crosses," Jaworski said. "It's too much."
Jaworski's heart hurts for the family and said he hopes another life won't be taken on the roadway.
"You just sit down and pray that it doesn't happen to anybody else, but it makes you sick," Jaworski said.
