2 Killed, 2 Seriously Injured After Back-to-Back Wrong-Way Crashes on Florida’s Turnpike Near Bird Road

Two people were killed and two others seriously injured early Sunday morning after two consecutive wrong-way crashes on Florida’s Turnpike near Bird Road in Miami-Dade County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The collisions — which happened just after 4 a.m. — involved three vehicles and an FHP patrol car in the northbound lanes of the Turnpike, marking yet another devastating example of how dangerous wrong-way driving can be on Florida’s highways.

According to FHP investigators, the first crash occurred when a blue Honda traveling southbound in the northbound lanes collided head-on with a silver Toyota near Bird Road.

Both vehicles were left disabled and blocking the roadway following the violent impact. Moments later, a white Toyota, which was also driving south in the northbound lanes, crashed into the disabled vehicles — striking both and a responding FHP patrol car that had arrived to assist.

• The drivers of the blue Honda and silver Toyota from the initial crash died at the scene, troopers confirmed.
• Two occupants in the white Toyota were airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital with serious injuries.
• The FHP trooper who had arrived to investigate the first collision was outside of their vehicle at the time of the second impact and was not injured.

All northbound lanes were closed for several hours, with traffic diverted onto Bird Road as FHP and emergency responders worked the scene.

FHP said it remains unclear where the wrong-way drivers entered the Turnpike or whether the two incidents were connected. The agency is still investigating how both wrong-way vehicles ended up traveling southbound in the northbound lanes.

Officials have not yet released the names of those involved, citing an active investigation.

Wrong-way crashes are among the most catastrophic and deadly collisions on Florida roadways. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), wrong-way driving results in over 400 crashes per year statewide, leading to dozens of deaths and hundreds of severe injuries.

While they represent a small fraction of all crashes, wrong-way collisions are disproportionately fatal — with studies showing that over 60% of wrong-way crashes result in death or serious injury.

These accidents often occur late at night or early in the morning when:

• Drivers are fatigued or impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Visibility is reduced and signage is harder to read
• Drivers become disoriented entering highway ramps or toll roads
• High speeds on interstates make impact forces exponentially stronger

Legal Accountability in Wrong-Way Crashes

Wrong-way driving almost always involves negligence or recklessness. When a driver enters an interstate in the wrong direction and causes injury or death, the victims or their surviving family members may be entitled to compensation under Florida personal injury and wrongful death laws.

Possible forms of negligence include:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs
• Driver fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel
• Distraction or inattention while navigating on-ramps
• Improper roadway design or inadequate signage
• Vehicle defects affecting steering or GPS navigation

An attorney can work with accident reconstruction experts, toxicologists, and traffic engineers to identify the root causes and hold the responsible parties accountable — including the wrong-way driver’s estate, vehicle owners, or even state contractors responsible for poor signage.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Turnpike Crash

When families lose a loved one due to another driver’s negligence, they may pursue a wrongful death claim under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (§§768.16–768.26).

Eligible survivors — such as spouses, children, or parents — may recover damages for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills incurred before death
• Loss of companionship, love, and support
• Loss of financial contributions and benefits
• Emotional pain and suffering

Wrong-way collisions are particularly devastating because they are entirely preventable. Through wrongful death litigation, families not only seek justice and compensation — they also help bring awareness to roadway safety failures that may save future lives.

How Flanagan & Bodenheimer Helps Victims and Families

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have extensive experience representing victims and families impacted by catastrophic crashes on Florida’s highways, including wrong-way and multi-vehicle collisions on Florida’s Turnpike, I-95, I-75, and U.S. 1.

Our firm stands out because:

• We limit our caseload to ensure personalized attention and thorough investigation.
• We collaborate with accident reconstructionists, engineers, and medical experts.
• We advance all litigation costs and charge no fees unless we win.
• Clients have direct communication with an attorney — not case managers.

We are relentless in uncovering the truth and holding negligent drivers, companies, and government entities accountable for preventable tragedies.

Contact a Florida Wrong-Way Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were injured — or if your family lost someone — in a wrong-way crash on Florida’s Turnpike or any major highway, the attorneys at Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm are here to help.

We represent victims and families throughout Miami-Dade County, Broward, Palm Beach, and across Florida, handling every case with compassion and precision.

You pay no fees unless we win, and we fight tirelessly to deliver justice for those affected by negligence on Florida’s roads.

📞 Call 305-638-4143 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation in English or Spanish.