A 44-year-old woman was killed in a crash Monday morning in Flagler County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.Troopers say the crash happened around 11 a.m. on State Road 100 at Bertha Road. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the crash happened.FHP reports that a truck was traveling eastbound on State Road 100, approaching Bertha Road, when a sedan ran into the back of the truck as it approached from behind.The sedan was driven by the 44-year-old woman from Bunnell, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, FHP says. She was killed in the crash, according to state troopers.The truck was driven by a 48-year-old man from Bunnell, who was also not wearing a seat belt, but walked away with minor injuries.Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. —
A 44-year-old woman was killed in a crash Monday morning in Flagler County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the crash happened around 11 a.m. on State Road 100 at Bertha Road. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the crash happened.
FHP reports that a truck was traveling eastbound on State Road 100, approaching Bertha Road, when a sedan ran into the back of the truck as it approached from behind.
The sedan was driven by the 44-year-old woman from Bunnell, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, FHP says. She was killed in the crash, according to state troopers.
The truck was driven by a 48-year-old man from Bunnell, who was also not wearing a seat belt, but walked away with minor injuries.
MARION COUNTY LIVE TONIGHT IN DUNNELLON TONY ATKINS WESH TWO NEWS. ALL RIGHT. STAY SAFE OUT THERE, TONY. MEANWHILE, YOU’RE ABOUT TO TAKE A LIVE LOOK AT A PICTURE FROM AN FDOT CAM ON I-95 IN BREVARD COUNTY NEAR GRANT. NOW, WITHIN THE PAST HOUR, TROOPERS REOPENED TRAFFIC GOING NORTH AFTER SHUTTING DOWN BOTH DIRECTIONS FOR HOURS DUE TO SMOKE OUT THERE. THIS IS A LOOK AT WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE EARLIER TODAY. WE DO KNOW THAT FIREFIGHTERS, BOTH IN THE AIR AND ON THE GROUND, BATTL
Wildfire causes hours-long shutdown of I-95 in Brevard County
Interstate 95 was shut down in both directions in Brevard County on Sunday afternoon due to a wildfire, causing low visibility, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.Roads were closed between mile marker 166 and mile marker 173, about 7 miles between the area of St. Johns Heritage Parkway and Malabar Road.The road has since reopened, troopers said. FHP is advising drivers to continue to avoid the area until further notice. According to the Florida Forest Service, the brush fire over I-95 in Brevard County, called the Terkam Road fire, grew to 130 acres and is now 100% contained.
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. —
Interstate 95 was shut down in both directions in Brevard County on Sunday afternoon due to a wildfire, causing low visibility, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Roads were closed between mile marker 166 and mile marker 173, about 7 miles between the area of St. Johns Heritage Parkway and Malabar Road.
The road has since reopened, troopers said.
FHP is advising drivers to continue to avoid the area until further notice.
According to the Florida Forest Service, the brush fire over I-95 in Brevard County, called the Terkam Road fire, grew to 130 acres and is now 100% contained.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a driver was found in nearby bushes after a hit-and-run crash in Brevard County.Troopers responded to the crash involving a Toyota Corolla and a semitruck along I-95 in Titusville just before 2 a.m. Sunday.Troopers said the 32-year-old driver of the Corolla was located in the bushes across from his car.The driver, along with a 23-year-old passenger, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.The driver of the semitruck was unharmed, and the crash remains under investigation.Troopers said charges are pending against the driver of the Corolla.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a driver was found in nearby bushes after a hit-and-run crash in Brevard County.
Troopers responded to the crash involving a Toyota Corolla and a semitruck along I-95 in Titusville just before 2 a.m. Sunday.
Troopers said the 32-year-old driver of the Corolla was located in the bushes across from his car.
The driver, along with a 23-year-old passenger, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the semitruck was unharmed, and the crash remains under investigation.
Troopers said charges are pending against the driver of the Corolla.
A major crash has shut down all of the eastbound lanes on I-4 at Lake Mary Boulevard.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened just after 7 a.m. at the Lake Mary Boulevard exit.Drivers traveling along I-4 eastbound should exit at SR-434 and use US-17/92 as a detour.FHP says people were injured in the crash.I-4 westbound is not impacted.This is a developing story.
LAKE MARY, Fla. —
A major crash has shut down all of the eastbound lanes on I-4 at Lake Mary Boulevard.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened just after 7 a.m. at the Lake Mary Boulevard exit.
Drivers traveling along I-4 eastbound should exit at SR-434 and use US-17/92 as a detour.
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed 2 teenagers on State Road 33 west of Groveland.FHP said the crash happened around 6 p.m. Saturday on SR-33 near Groveland Farms Road.Troopers say a 16-year-old girl was driving a Toyota Scion southbound and attempted to pass a vehicle in a no passing zone. She had a 17-year-old Clermont boy riding as her passenger.After the teen entered the northbound lane, she saw an oncoming SUV and swerved back into the southbound lane.FHP says the 16-year-old then lost control of her Toyota which rotated and reentered the northbound lane in the direct path of the SUV, causing the SUV to crash into the right side of car which then overturned.The Toyota’s driver and her passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.The 75-year-old driver of the SUV and his 3 passengers were all taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.FHP says the crash remains under investigation.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed 2 teenagers on State Road 33 west of Groveland.
FHP said the crash happened around 6 p.m. Saturday on SR-33 near Groveland Farms Road.
Troopers say a 16-year-old girl was driving a Toyota Scion southbound and attempted to pass a vehicle in a no passing zone. She had a 17-year-old Clermont boy riding as her passenger.
After the teen entered the northbound lane, she saw an oncoming SUV and swerved back into the southbound lane.
FHP says the 16-year-old then lost control of her Toyota which rotated and reentered the northbound lane in the direct path of the SUV, causing the SUV to crash into the right side of car which then overturned.
The Toyota’s driver and her passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.
The 75-year-old driver of the SUV and his 3 passengers were all taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a driver was killed in an early Saturday morning crash on I-4 in Orange County.According to FHP, a 2013 Hyundai Elantra was traveling eastbound on I-4 approaching World Center Drive when the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the roadway to the left onto the median just after 3 a.m. The car struck a guardrail before reentering the roadway in the direct path of a 2015 Kia Sedona. As a result, the Kia struck the Hyundai.The Hyundai’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene.The Kia’s driver was transported to Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital with minor injuries.Troopers are still investigating what led up to the crash.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a driver was killed in an early Saturday morning crash on I-4 in Orange County.
According to FHP, a 2013 Hyundai Elantra was traveling eastbound on I-4 approaching World Center Drive when the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the roadway to the left onto the median just after 3 a.m. The car struck a guardrail before reentering the roadway in the direct path of a 2015 Kia Sedona. As a result, the Kia struck the Hyundai.
The Hyundai’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Kia’s driver was transported to Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital with minor injuries.
Troopers are still investigating what led up to the crash.
9 juveniles injured in multi-vehicle crash in Orange County, FHP says
BREAKING NEWS. WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS TONIGHT. A WILD, HORRIFIC SCENE FOLLOWING A CRASH IN ORLANDO, PUTTING NINE CHILDREN IN THE HOSPITAL. I’M JESSE PAGAN AND I’M MICHELLE IMPERATO. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON RALEIGH STREET AND CAMPANELLA AVENUE, AND THAT’S WHERE OUR GAIL PASCHALL-BROWN IS LIVE TONIGHT. GAIL. NEIGHBORS ARE SHAKEN UP ABOUT THIS. MICHELLE. THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE I TELL YOU RIGHT NOW. THEY ARE SHAKEN UP. THEY JUST TOOK THE CARS AWAY FROM THE SCENE. NOW, NEIGHBORS, AS ONE OF THEM, WHO IS A MOTHER HERSELF, NOT OF THOSE INJURED, SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS HORRIBLE. AND SHE DESCRIBED THE THE CHILDREN WITH THEIR BLOODY INJURIES. AND, YOU KNOW, IT’S JUST ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE IT’S JUST BAD. BOTTOM LINE, ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, ORLANDO POLICE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL, CAME OUT HERE IN MASS TO THIS CRASH, WHICH HAPPENED AROUND 630 TONIGHT. IT’S HEARTBREAKING. I PRAY THAT THE FAMILY IS OKAY. I STAYED ALL THE WAY TILL THEY TOOK THE BABIES BECAUSE THE ONE BABY I HAD, THE ONE BABY TRYING TO KEEP HER ALIVE, TO KEEP HER AWAKE. I MEAN, THAT’S TRAGIC. IT’S SAD. NEIGHBORS WHO DIDN’T WANT TO BE ON CAMERA TELL US THEY HEARD SCREECHING AND THEN SAW THIS RED ALFA ROMEO HIT THIS NISSAN ALTIMA FROM BEHIND. THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS THE NISSAN RAN OFF THE ROAD AND THEN SLAMMED INTO A TREE AND HIT IT AGAIN. AND HE COULDN’T EVEN, LIKE, STOP. LIKE HE. YOU JUST. HEARD. I’M SORRY. AND. HE WAS ON THE PHONE LITERALLY, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT — ME OFF. AND THEN ALL THE KIDS WAS RUNNING OUT OF THE CAR, SHE SAID. THE DRIVER OF THE RED CAR WAS SPEEDING. THE CRASH HAPPENED EASTBOUND ON RALEIGH STREET AND EAST OF CAMPANELLA AVENUE IN ORANGE COUNTY, RIGHT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE. SHE SAYS SHE HAD JUST PULLED OUT BEFORE THE CRASH HAPPENED. IT WAS AROUND 8 OR 9 KIDS IN THE CAR. SOMEONE PASSED AWAY. AN ADULT WAS THERE AS WELL. YES. THE ADULT, THEY HAD A SHE WAS IN THE CAR. THEY HAD TO, LIKE, PRY THE CAR OPEN, PULL HER OUT. THEY HAD TO, BECAUSE WE LIVE RIGHT THERE AT THE HOUSE WHERE IT HAPPENED. SO AND THEY HIT THE TREE AND HE HAD A GREEN BEER BOTTLE AND I DON’T SEE IT, BUT HE █THREW IT OUT THE WINDOW. IT LOOKS LIKE HE STAYED ON THE SCENE. YEAH HE DID. HE HAD NO CHOICE BECAUSE NOBODY WOULDN’T LET HIM LEAVE BECAUSE HE WAS ALL IN FRONT OF HIS CAR TO TELLING HIM TO GET OUT, BUT HE WAS STILL ON HIS PHONE. NINE CHILDREN WERE TAKEN TO ARNOLD PALMER HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. RIGHT NOW, WE’RE STILL WAITING TO GET PATIENT REPORTS ON ALL OF THOSE TONIGHT, RESIDENTS OUT HERE TELL ME THAT SOME OF THOSE YOUNGSTERS WHO WERE INJURED WERE AS YOUNG AS FOUR AND FIVE YEARS OLD. I ALSO JUST FINISHED TALKING TO A NURSE WHO LIVES HERE ACROSS THE STREET. AND SHE AMONG OTHER RESIDENTS. SHE SAID IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT TO TRY TO HELP THOSE CHILDREN AS MUCH AS THEY COULD.
9 juveniles injured in multi-vehicle crash in Orange County, FHP says
Several fire rescue agencies responded to a multi-vehicle crash that left nine juveniles injured on Thursday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.“It’s heartbreaking, and I pray that the family is OK. I stayed all the way until they took the babies cause the one baby I had, the one baby to try to keep her alive, keep her awake, I mean, that’s tragic, it’s sad,” one neighbor said.The two-vehicle crash occurred at Raleigh Street and Ivy Lane in the Richmond Heights neighborhood of Orange County, involving a Nissan Altima and an Alfa Romeo.Neighbors who didn’t want to be on camera tell WESH 2 they heard screeching and then saw that the red Alpha Romeo hit the Nissan Altima from behind.FHP says the Nissan ran off the road and then slammed into a tree.The crash happened eastbound on Raleigh Street and east of Campanella Avenue, in Orange County, right in front of another neighbor’s house.The neighbor said she had just pulled out before the crash happened. “So it was about eight kids, nine kids in a car. Someone passed away. An adult was there as well, yes adult she was in the car, they had to pry the car open and pull her out, cause we live right there in the house where it happened,” the neighbor said. According to FHP, the children were transported to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with severe injuries.On Friday, Orlando Health announced that four children have been discharged, while five additional children and one adult remain in the hospital.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Several fire rescue agencies responded to a multi-vehicle crash that left nine juveniles injured on Thursday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
“It’s heartbreaking, and I pray that the family is OK. I stayed all the way until they took the babies cause the one baby I had, the one baby to try to keep her alive, keep her awake, I mean, that’s tragic, it’s sad,” one neighbor said.
The two-vehicle crash occurred at Raleigh Street and Ivy Lane in the Richmond Heights neighborhood of Orange County, involving a Nissan Altima and an Alfa Romeo.
Neighbors who didn’t want to be on camera tell WESH 2 they heard screeching and then saw that the red Alpha Romeo hit the Nissan Altima from behind.
FHP says the Nissan ran off the road and then slammed into a tree.
The crash happened eastbound on Raleigh Street and east of Campanella Avenue, in Orange County, right in front of another neighbor’s house.
The neighbor said she had just pulled out before the crash happened.
“So it was about eight kids, nine kids in a car. Someone passed away. An adult was there as well, yes adult she was in the car, they had to pry the car open and pull her out, cause we live right there in the house where it happened,” the neighbor said.
According to FHP, the children were transported to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with severe injuries.
On Friday, Orlando Health announced that four children have been discharged, while five additional children and one adult remain in the hospital.
The Leon County Humane Society said Trooper showed signs of stress, but has “smiled” a few times since being in their care. Credit: via Leon County Humane Society via Facebook/WUFT News
A Florida prosecutor has dropped the felony criminal case against the man who drew national attention after being accused of tying his bull terrier dog to a fence along Interstate 75 and abandoning it in the face of an approaching major hurricane. The dog’s new owner is furious.
Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 24, of Ruskin, Florida, was facing a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office, led by Susan Lopez, suddenly dropped the case this week.
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis had called the dog’s treatment “unacceptable,” and warned the person accused of abandoning the dog, “We’re going to hold you accountable.”
Lopez, the elected state prosecutor whose office was handling the case, had said she couldn’t imagine anyone tying a pet to a fence amid a natural disaster. Ahead of a criminal trial in the case, expected to begin late this year or early in 2026, prosecutors filed paperwork on Wednesday abandoning the case.
The dog — now known as Trooper after the Florida Highway Patrol officer who rescued him — was adopted by Frank and Carla Spina of Parkland, Florida. In a new interview Thursday night, Frank Spina said Lopez personally called to tell him the state was dropping the case — an act he said was “chickening out.”
He said that during the call, Lopez said prosecutors had little to no evidence that Aldama Garcia had tied the dog to a pole and cited a language barrier between him and investigators.
Court records showed that during questioning, Aldama Garcia acknowledged dumping the dog on the side of the interstate during the evacuation ahead of Hurricane Milton and said he had been trying unsuccessfully to get rid of the dog for weeks.
“The defendant stated he observed the dog in standing water in heavy rain during a hurricane evacuation and left him behind,” the trooper wrote in his arrest report.
Spina said he was flabbergasted: “Well, did he tie himself? Did Trooper tie himself? Put it in front of a jury and ask ‘Do you believe Trooper the dog tied himself to a pole?’”
Spina said just two months ago, the state attorney’s office called this its most important case. Now, he believes Lopez was afraid she would lose if the case went to trial.
“It’s politics. It’s being afraid to lose the big case on TV,” he said in a phone interview with Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
The prosecutor did not immediately return a phone message to her office late Thursday.
Last week, Aldama Garcia’s defense attorney, Tony Lopez of Tampa, said in an interview that a plea deal was out of the question, unless the state would seek a lesser criminal charge. If it didn’t, he said, he planned to take the matter to trial.
“It’s based on lies,” Tony Lopez said in the interview. “He had to quit his college, he was kicked out of his job, he had to change numbers. All because someone misquoted what happened.”
He said the state can’t prove that Aldama Garcia abused or intentionally harmed his dog.
Lopez, the defense lawyer, didn’t immediately respond to a phone message late Thursday.
Spina said Florida lawmakers were outraged enough over the suspected abuse to demand a change in law.
Those efforts resulted in Trooper’s Law, which makes it illegal to abandon a dog that is restrained during a natural disaster. It also imposed a fine up to $10,000 and a prison term up to five years — what Aldama Garcia was previously facing, if convicted.
“We all got this law passed, and for what?” Spina said. “Just for the prosecutor’s office to throw in the towel and say, ‘Oh, well, he had a language barrier, and we can’t prove that he tied him to a fence.’”
“I’m really disgusted.”
___
This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. The reporter can be reached at kairilowery@ufl.edu. You can donate to support our students here.
A 71-year-old man is dead, and another man was injured after a head-on crash in Astor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.FHP said the crash happened just after 8:30 on Wednesday night.Investigators said a 2002 Cadillac Escalade, driven by a 71-year-old man, was traveling westbound on SR-40 when it crossed over the centerline into the eastbound lane and started driving the wrong way. They said the Escalade then entered the direct path of an oncoming 2025 Freightliner semi-tractor-trailer.As a result, the two vehicles crashed head-on. The Freightliner, which was traveling eastbound, was being driven by a 49-year-old man with a 25-year-old male passenger onboard.The 71-year-old man driving the Escalade was pronounced dead at the scene.FHP said the semi-truck driver was not injured. The 25-year-old passenger in the semi-truck was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Drivers can use CR-445 as a detour.
ASTOR, Fla. —
A 71-year-old man is dead, and another man was injured after a head-on crash in Astor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP said the crash happened just after 8:30 on Wednesday night.
Investigators said a 2002 Cadillac Escalade, driven by a 71-year-old man, was traveling westbound on SR-40 when it crossed over the centerline into the eastbound lane and started driving the wrong way.
They said the Escalade then entered the direct path of an oncoming 2025 Freightliner semi-tractor-trailer.
As a result, the two vehicles crashed head-on.
The Freightliner, which was traveling eastbound, was being driven by a 49-year-old man with a 25-year-old male passenger onboard.
The 71-year-old man driving the Escalade was pronounced dead at the scene.
FHP said the semi-truck driver was not injured. The 25-year-old passenger in the semi-truck was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Three people are dead and one is seriously hurt after a hit-and-run crash in Volusia County. Florida Highway Patrol says it happened just before 10 p.m. Saturday in DeBary.Troopers say a Dodge Durango, Ford Focus, motorcycle and Honda Pilot were all involved. The driver of the Durango changed lanes and hit the Focus, which caused a chain reaction. The driver of the Durango then drove off, FHP says. The motorcycle rider, driver and passenger of the Pilot were all killed, FHP said. The Durango was located unattended in a parking lot and was taken for evidence, FHP said. Troopers are still looking for the driver of the Durango. >> This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released. CrimelineCrimeline’s mission is to increase the safety of the Central Florida community by assisting law enforcement agencies in removing undesirable individuals from the community, according to its mission statement>> Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)>> Leave a tip onlineTips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000. All tips eligible for a reward are paid to tipsters using an anonymous processCentral Florida Crimeline began in July of 1977, originally named Crimewatch, modeled after the first Crime Stoppers program founded in Albuquerque New Mexico. Call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477)
DEBARY, Fla. —
Three people are dead and one is seriously hurt after a hit-and-run crash in Volusia County.
Florida Highway Patrol says it happened just before 10 p.m. Saturday in DeBary.
Troopers say a Dodge Durango, Ford Focus, motorcycle and Honda Pilot were all involved.
The driver of the Durango changed lanes and hit the Focus, which caused a chain reaction.
The driver of the Durango then drove off, FHP says.
The motorcycle rider, driver and passenger of the Pilot were all killed, FHP said.
The Durango was located unattended in a parking lot and was taken for evidence, FHP said.
Troopers are still looking for the driver of the Durango.
>> This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.
Crimeline
Crimeline’s mission is to increase the safety of the Central Florida community by assisting law enforcement agencies in removing undesirable individuals from the community, according to its mission statement
Tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000. All tips eligible for a reward are paid to tipsters using an anonymous process
Central Florida Crimeline began in July of 1977, originally named Crimewatch, modeled after the first Crime Stoppers program founded in Albuquerque New Mexico.
One eastbound lane of Interstate 4 has reopened after the highway was shut down near mile marker 72 on Monday afternoon after multiple crashes with injuries, Florida Highway Patrol said. Five people were transported to area hospitals, FHP said. One of the vehicles involved is a semi that overturned. Eastbound traffic had been detoured onto International Drive before getting back on I-4 eastbound from Sand Lake Road.Traffic is still moving very slowly in the area as the other lanes of eastbound I-4 where the crash occurred are still shut down as of 6 p.m.>> This is a developing story and will be updated
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
One eastbound lane of Interstate 4 has reopened after the highway was shut down near mile marker 72 on Monday afternoon after multiple crashes with injuries, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Five people were transported to area hospitals, FHP said.
One of the vehicles involved is a semi that overturned.
Eastbound traffic had been detoured onto International Drive before getting back on I-4 eastbound from Sand Lake Road.
Traffic is still moving very slowly in the area as the other lanes of eastbound I-4 where the crash occurred are still shut down as of 6 p.m.
The crash involved four vehicles, and three people were taken to local hospitals, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, which was still investigating the Friday, Sept. 26, incident.
One driver, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. Below is more information and what to know.
One person was killed and several people seriously injured in an early morning, four-vehicle traffic crash near the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Max Brewer Bridge.
The deadly crash happened Friday, Sept. 26, on Beach Road, just east of Titusville Road and west of Launch Complex 34, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Several Kennedy Space Center police officers were at the site, along with highway patrol troopers. One driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic was also being rerouted for workers.
Where was the 4-car crash near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida?
A four-vehicle crash occurred at 6:24 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, on Beach Road east of Titusville Road in Brevard County, near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and near the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Beach Road continues toward Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex after the Max Brewer Causeway, a popular spot to watch rocket launches, ends. The Sept. 26 fatal crash took place on Beach Road near the Max Brewer Bridge, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Photos of the Max Brewer Bridge near Kennedy Space Center and NASA’s VAB
Because of its proximity to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Max Brewer Bridge is one of Brevard County’s closest spots to watch a rocket launch from one of the launch complexes at NASA or nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The photos below show the Max Brewer Bridge.
Gathering before the launch. Spectators in Titusville on the A. Max Brewer Bridge for the NASA SpaceX Crew-10 launch of a Falcon 9 from pad 39A at KSC.
Where is NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida?
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex are located in unincorporated Brevard County, in the Merritt Island area of Florida’s Space Coast. In Florida, rockets are launched from Kennedy Space Center and nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the longtime space-themed Florida attraction with a Rocket Garden (a photogenic, Instagram-friendly spot where retired rockets are erected), IMAX theater, shuttle simulator ride, astronaut meet-and-greets, and other entertainment. It’s also home to the (actual) space shuttle Atlantis, the Saturn V rocket and the Vehicle Assembly Building − affectionately known by residents, NASA workforce and journalists as the VAB.
The space-themed Florida theme park is an hour away from the Orlando theme parks − Walt Disney World Resort (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom), SeaWorld and Universal Orlando Resort (Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and Wizarding World of Harry Potter).
One person is dead following a crash on the southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike near Mile Marker 277 in Clermont on Wednesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. FHP said the crash occurred at 3:40 p.m.A 59-year-old man from St. Cloud was driving his 2015 Genesis GV80 on the southbound lanes of the Turnpike when, for unknown reasons ran off the roadway and into an active construction site, hitting a construction tractor. The driver in the construction tractor suffered minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital. FHP said the driver of the Genesis was ejected from his vehicle and transported to South Lake Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. A total of four vehicles were involved in the crash, according to FHP. A third vehicle, driven by a 30-year-old from Orlando, was also transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. A fourth vehicle struck crash debris in the inside lane, but the driver was not injured. Southbound lanes near Mile Marker 277 have now reopened, according to FHP.
CLERMONT, Fla. —
One person is dead following a crash on the southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike near Mile Marker 277 in Clermont on Wednesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP said the crash occurred at 3:40 p.m.
A 59-year-old man from St. Cloud was driving his 2015 Genesis GV80 on the southbound lanes of the Turnpike when, for unknown reasons ran off the roadway and into an active construction site, hitting a construction tractor.
The driver in the construction tractor suffered minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital.
FHP said the driver of the Genesis was ejected from his vehicle and transported to South Lake Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A total of four vehicles were involved in the crash, according to FHP. A third vehicle, driven by a 30-year-old from Orlando, was also transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
A fourth vehicle struck crash debris in the inside lane, but the driver was not injured.
Southbound lanes near Mile Marker 277 have now reopened, according to FHP.
US-27 in Clermont was shut down for hours following a fatal crash early Sunday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol.The crash happened just before 2 a.m. on US-27 north of Frank Jarrell Road. Witnesses told FHP that a 2019 Audi Q5 was traveling southbound at high speed in the northbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a 2021 Toyota Camry.The Audi’s driver, a 22-year-old Windermere man, was transported as a trauma alert to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. The 28-year-old Orlando man driving the Toyota was pronounced dead at the crash scene.FHP is continuing to investigate the crash, and the roadway has reopened to traffic.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —
US-27 in Clermont was shut down for hours following a fatal crash early Sunday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened just before 2 a.m. on US-27 north of Frank Jarrell Road. Witnesses told FHP that a 2019 Audi Q5 was traveling southbound at high speed in the northbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a 2021 Toyota Camry.
The Audi’s driver, a 22-year-old Windermere man, was transported as a trauma alert to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. The 28-year-old Orlando man driving the Toyota was pronounced dead at the crash scene.
FHP is continuing to investigate the crash, and the roadway has reopened to traffic.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a five-vehicle crash Saturday night on the Florida Turnpike that involved an FHP patrol car and sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries.The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike, south of State Road 417 in Orlando, Orange County, FHP said. According to preliminary crash details, a semitrailer with a trailer was traveling northbound in the center inside lane when it attempted to change lanes, sideswiping a 2005 Toyota Camry.A 2004 Dodge pickup traveling behind the semi-truck and Camry swerved to the left, striking the left side of the Camry.The pickup then rotated and collided with the left front of the semitrailer, began overturning across the northbound lanes, and collided with the top of a Florida Highway Patrol marked patrol car parked on the outside shoulder, according to FHP. The accident report said the pickup continued overturning, collided with a concrete barrier, and went down an embankment.The initial impact with the pickup caused the patrol car to be pushed into the travel lanes, where it collided with a 2024 Buick Enclave.FHP said the trooper was standing outside his patrol car when the crashes occurred.He darted away, briefly fell, and was later transported to the hospital with minor injuries.The driver of the pickup was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The drivers of the semitrailer, Camry, and Buick were not injured and remained on the scene.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a five-vehicle crash Saturday night on the Florida Turnpike that involved an FHP patrol car and sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries.
The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike, south of State Road 417 in Orlando, Orange County, FHP said.
According to preliminary crash details, a semitrailer with a trailer was traveling northbound in the center inside lane when it attempted to change lanes, sideswiping a 2005 Toyota Camry.
A 2004 Dodge pickup traveling behind the semi-truck and Camry swerved to the left, striking the left side of the Camry.
The pickup then rotated and collided with the left front of the semitrailer, began overturning across the northbound lanes, and collided with the top of a Florida Highway Patrol marked patrol car parked on the outside shoulder, according to FHP.
The accident report said the pickup continued overturning, collided with a concrete barrier, and went down an embankment.
The initial impact with the pickup caused the patrol car to be pushed into the travel lanes, where it collided with a 2024 Buick Enclave.
FHP said the trooper was standing outside his patrol car when the crashes occurred.
He darted away, briefly fell, and was later transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the pickup was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The drivers of the semitrailer, Camry, and Buick were not injured and remained on the scene.
Crash shuts down SR-429 southbound in Winter Garden
METEOROLOGIST KELLIANNE KLASS. WE’LL TALK ABOUT THAT FORECAST IN A MOMENT, BUT WE NEED TO GET TO OUR TRAFFIC EXPERT MEAGHAN MACKEY. LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT 429 SITUATION NOW. MEGAN. YEAH. IF YOU’RE HEADING OUT THE DOOR RIGHT NOW, WE WANT TO GET YOU RIGHT TO THAT CRASH. IT IS IN THE WINTER GARDEN AREA. STATE ROAD 429. THIS IS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND SOUTH OF STONY BROOK PARKWAY, TRAVELING TOWARDS NEW INDEPENDENCE PARKWAY. SO HEADING INTO THE HORIZON WEST AREA, YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THOSE LANES ARE SHUT DOWN THIS MORNING AND TRAFFIC IS ONLY GETTING BY HERE IN THAT FAR LEFT SHOULDER. HERE YOU CAN SEE A COUPLE CARS INVOLVED IN THIS CRASH. LOOKS LIKE THIS CAR SLAMMED INTO THAT GUARDRAIL. NOT LOOKING GOOD. WE DO KNOW THIS IS A CRASH WITH SOME INJURIES. SO HUGE DELAYS IN THIS AREA JUST SOUTH OF THE TURNPIKE INTERCHANGE. ME PERSONALLY, I WOULD AVOID TRAVELING THERE. I-4 IS GOING TO BE THE DETOUR, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY LONG DETOUR, SO PLAN AHEAD FOR THAT MORNING DRIVE. THIS IS WHERE THOSE FLEX LANES ARE. SO IF YOU’RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT, THE CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPRESSWAY ACTIVATES THOSE WHEN THERE’S A BIG CRASH. AND THAT’S WHAT THESE X’S MEAN HERE ON THE SCREEN. SO WE HAVEN’T SEEN A WHOLE LOT OF CRASHES SINCE THEY’VE ACTIVATED THOSE. BUT I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THAT IS HOW THOSE WORKS. I’VE GOTTEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SIGNAGE THERE. WHEN THERE’S A SHUTDOWN, THEY DO PUT AN X TO INDICATE THAT THAT LANE IS CLOSING JUST AHEAD. SO ANTICIPATE THE SLOWDOWNS TRAVELING THERE THIS MORNING. ME PERSONALLY AGAIN I WOULD AVOID STATE ROAD 429 SOUTHBOUND. IF YOU’RE TRAVELING IN WINTER GARDEN. BUT AGAIN, THE DETOUR IS GOING TO BE ALONG I-4, SO WE’LL MONITOR THE BACKUPS AND THIS CRASH THIS MORNING AND CHECK IN WITH THOSE TRAVEL TIMES, BUT AT LEAST HEADIN
A crash shut down part of SR-429 in Winter Garden.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.Both lanes were shut down traveling southbound just past Stoneybrook Parkway.As of 7:30 a.m. all of the lanes are back open.Troopers say people were injured in the crash.
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. —
A crash shut down part of SR-429 in Winter Garden.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Both lanes were shut down traveling southbound just past Stoneybrook Parkway.
A North Port man has been killed in a fatal hit-and-run after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Naples.
A 41-year-old man was attempting to cross US 41 at 8:58 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, on his bike when an SUV traveling south on US 41 and Guilford Road in Naples collided with the bicyclist, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said.
The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the SUV, 42-year-old Jelekzey Gamboa Thiele of Naples, did not sustain any injuries and fled, troopers said.
After a short search, troopers located the hit-and-run vehicle, a silver 2017 Infiniti, at an apartment complex approximately 3.6 miles from the crash scene.
A 42-year-old Naples man was arrested, accused of striking a 41-year-old North Port bicyclist, killing him and fleeing the scene.
Troopers observed significant damage to the front and windshield of the SUV, impounding it as evidence.
Thiele was arrested and faces a charge for leaving the scene of a crash involving death, troopers said.
Thiele remains in custody at the Collier County Jail and was scheduled for a first appearance hearing on Sept. 15.
As of September 4, there have been 3,907 crashes in Collier County, 127 of which involved pedestrians. Of the crashes involving pedestrians, four have been fatal, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Dashboard.
Three people are dead after a wrong-way driver caused a major crash on I-95 in Brevard County on Sunday, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the crash happened around 3:50 a.m. Sunday in the northbound lanes of I-95 near Wickham Road in Melbourne.FHP said a 2020 Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a Chevrolet Impala traveling north. Six other vehicles ended up involved in the crash due to a chain reaction from that initial crash.The wrong-way driver as well as the driver and passenger in the Impala were pronounced dead at the crash scene, according to FHP.All northbound lanes of I-95 are closed in Brevard County, between Exit 188 for the Pineda Causeway and Exit 191 for Wickham Road, as of 11:30 a.m. Sunday.Northbound traffic is being detoured onto the Pineda Causeway to then travel east to Wickham Road, turn left (north) on Wickham Road and continue on Wickham Road for several miles to re-enter I-95 northbound. Our crews captured the extent of the damage with multiple mangled cars, scattered debris, and dozens of FHP troopers lining the highway.We will provide updates when the roadway reopens.Investigators have not releases the identities of those killed, but say the crash remains under investigation.
MELBOURNE, Fla. —
Three people are dead after a wrong-way driver caused a major crash on I-95 in Brevard County on Sunday, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the crash happened around 3:50 a.m. Sunday in the northbound lanes of I-95 near Wickham Road in Melbourne.
FHP said a 2020 Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a Chevrolet Impala traveling north. Six other vehicles ended up involved in the crash due to a chain reaction from that initial crash.
The wrong-way driver as well as the driver and passenger in the Impala were pronounced dead at the crash scene, according to FHP.
All northbound lanes of I-95 are closed in Brevard County, between Exit 188 for the Pineda Causeway and Exit 191 for Wickham Road, as of 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Northbound traffic is being detoured onto the Pineda Causeway to then travel east to Wickham Road, turn left (north) on Wickham Road and continue on Wickham Road for several miles to re-enter I-95 northbound.
Our crews captured the extent of the damage with multiple mangled cars, scattered debris, and dozens of FHP troopers lining the highway.
We will provide updates when the roadway reopens.
Investigators have not releases the identities of those killed, but say the crash remains under investigation.
The right lane is currently blocked as troopers and emergency crews respond.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue said crews responded to the crash at 11:15 a.m. They confirmed there were only minor injuries and no one was taken to the hospital.
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Drivers should expect backups in the area and use caution.
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Three people arrested late Sunday evening for using chalk to protest the state’s removal of the Pulse rainbow crosswalk were released from jail Monday pending charges from the state attorney’s office.
Maryjane East, 25, Donavon Short, 26, and Zane Aparicio, 39, were arrested and booked by Florida Highway Patrol on Sunday night outside the Pulse memorial in Orlando and charged with defacing a traffic device — a statute that typically covers electronic traffic devices such as lights and signals.
The arrests come after Orestes Sebastian Suarez was arrested Friday night by Florida Highway Patrol on the same charge. Suarez was also released shortly after he was booked after the judge found no probable cause he committed the crime.
However, a judge on Monday did find probable cause for the three latest arrests. However, there were no charges pending after they were released on their own recognizance, and any further charges would need to be brought forward by Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell.
Blake Simons, the attorney representing both Suarez and the three arrested late Sunday night, said FHP’s arrest report from Sunday was much more detailed and included allegations of damage of over $1,000.
“I would argue water-soluble chalk that washes away while you’re being arrested doesn’t amount to over $1,000 worth of damage,” Simons said after appearing before the judge Monday morning.
FHP and Orlando Police Department have been stationed at the Dunkin Donuts next to the Pulse memorial for over a week, telling protesters they won’t be arrested if they are not impeding traffic.
Protests initially erupted last month after the Florida Department of Transportation painted over the rainbow crosswalk, meant to memorialize the 49 victims of the 2016 mass shooting, in the middle of the night. Since then, the department has repainted it at least once more due to ongoing protestors coloring the crosswalk with rainbow paint and chalk.
FDOT has ordered other cities to remove rainbows and other painted designs from their roads.
DeSantis has defended the state’s actions, saying it’s not political and cited a new state law — a claim lawmakers refute — and that the designs “jeopardize both driver and pedestrian safety.”
In a statement, FDOT said it conducted a “months-long” update of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices with input from representatives of state and local governments. The update included a prohibition on “non-uniform” traffic control devices and explicitly “prohibits the application of pavement or surface art on travel lanes, paved shoulders, intersections, crosswalks or sidewalks.”
The four arrested protesters are part of a larger, coordinated effort to maintain protests against the state’s removal of the rainbow crosswalk. On Reddit’s Orlando forum, one person — who said they had been at the crosswalk all of last week — claimed the three intended to be arrested for the cameras.
“Do not worry, we planned this for live cameras to see. Now we get to see what a judge says about them violating our first amendment rights, and we hope it leads to us being allowed to continue the chalk,” wrote Reed, who asked to only be identified by their first name.
Following the arrest of the three protesters at the Pulse memorial Sunday night, the remaining protesters marched to Orlando City Hall downtown where they wrote messages in chalk.
“You can’t erase us,” one chalk message read.
“We’re just getting started,” read another.
Protesters returned to city hall Monday afternoon.
