TITUSVILLE, Fla. — A deadly crash, on I-95 at Mile Marker 221 in Titusville, caused big traffic problems Friday. Investigators say a man wasn't paying attention when he caused a crash that killed his wife and injured four other people.
The interstate was shut down in both directions, as four medical helicopters arrived to transport the injured.
Officials say it all began when traffic started to back up, because of a single car accident in the northbound lanes, just north of State Road 50. Eyewitnesses reported an SUV approaching the slow moving traffic, going at least 85 miles per hour. The driver swerved to avoid hitting some cars and crossed the grassy median before slamming head-on into another vehicle.
Troopers say there was a family of three in the SUV that crossed the median, including a baby boy. The boy's mother was killed.
Charges are now pending against her husband, who was driving.
"I know he was very remorseful. He was making statements to his wife, who was obviously dead at the scene. He was apologetic. He was very sorry," said Lt. Michael Brown of the Florida Highway Patrol.
There were four people in the other SUV that was hit head on, as it drove down the southbound lanes. All four were flown to local hospitals.
The interstate reopened to traffic, just after 6:00pm.
Just last week, Eyewitness News reported an effort to put guardrails in the median of I-95 to prevent such cross-over crashes. A Department of Transportation spokesman said a lack of funding is what's stalled those plans.
WFTV
