75-Year-Old Man Killed, Three Injured in Wrong-Way I-95 Crash in Jacksonville

A 75-year-old Jacksonville man was killed and three other people were injured Friday night after authorities say he drove the wrong way on Interstate 95 and collided with two vehicles.

The September 18, 2026 crash occurred at approximately 10:59 p.m. on southbound I-95 just south of Park Avenue, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP reported that the 75-year-old man was driving a van northbound in the southbound lanes when he sideswiped an SUV. The SUV was able to come to a controlled stop, but the van allegedly continued traveling in the wrong direction.

The van then collided head-on with a southbound sedan.

The van driver was transported to a hospital, where he died. The sedan’s 27-year-old driver suffered serious injuries, while her 49-year-old passenger suffered critical injuries. The 26-year-old woman driving the SUV sustained minor injuries.

What Happened in the Wrong-Way I-95 Crash?

According to FHP, the van was traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-95 shortly before 11 p.m.

The van first sideswiped an SUV driven by a 26-year-old Jacksonville woman.

The SUV driver was able to bring her vehicle to a controlled stop.

FHP said the van continued northbound against traffic before its front end struck the front of a sedan traveling southbound behind the SUV.

The van and sedan ultimately came to rest in the middle lane of the interstate.

Three People Injured in Addition to the Van Driver

The 75-year-old van driver was transported to a hospital following the crash and later died from his injuries.

The sedan was driven by a 27-year-old Tampa woman who suffered serious injuries.

Her passenger, a 49-year-old Jacksonville resident, suffered critical injuries. Both occupants of the sedan were transported to a local hospital.

The 26-year-old Jacksonville woman driving the SUV sustained minor injuries.

The identities of those involved were not released in the report.

Why Was the Van Traveling the Wrong Way?

The available report does not explain why the 75-year-old driver entered or continued traveling northbound in the southbound lanes.

Investigators may attempt to determine where the van entered I-95 in the wrong direction and how long it traveled against traffic before the collisions occurred.

Potential factors in a wrong-way crash investigation can include roadway signage, interchange configuration, visibility, driver distraction and impairment.

There is currently no information establishing that any particular factor contributed to this crash.

The driver’s age alone also does not establish why the wrong-way driving occurred.

Florida Law Prohibits Wrong-Way Travel on Divided Highways

Florida Statute § 316.090 governs driving on divided highways.

Motorists traveling on divided roadways are generally required to use the appropriate roadway designated for traffic moving in their direction and are prohibited from traveling to the left of a dividing space or physical barrier except where legally permitted.

Based on FHP’s account, the van was traveling northbound in lanes designated for southbound traffic.

The investigation may attempt to determine how the van entered those lanes and whether additional circumstances contributed to the driver’s actions.

Head-On Interstate Crashes Can Cause Severe Injuries

Wrong-way crashes can be particularly dangerous because they create the possibility of a nearly direct head-on collision between vehicles traveling in opposite directions.

Unlike many rear-end or sideswipe collisions, both vehicles may be moving toward one another immediately before impact.

In this crash, FHP reported that the front of the van struck the front of the southbound sedan.

The sedan driver suffered serious injuries, while her passenger was critically injured.

Evidence May Show Where the Wrong-Way Driving Began

One important question for investigators may be where the van first entered the southbound side of I-95.

Potential evidence may include:

• Interstate and interchange surveillance footage
• Traffic camera recordings
• Dash camera footage
• Witness statements
• Crash-scene photographs and measurements
• Vehicle damage and final resting positions
• Event data recorder information
• GPS or navigation data when legally obtainable
• Roadway signs and pavement markings
• Lighting and visibility conditions
• 911 calls reporting a wrong-way vehicle
• Cellphone records when legally obtainable

Video or witness accounts from locations before the crash could help establish the van’s route and how long it was traveling against traffic.

The First Sideswipe May Be Important to the Investigation

FHP’s account indicates that the fatal head-on collision was preceded by another crash.

The van first sideswiped an SUV before continuing northbound in the southbound lanes.

The SUV driver managed to bring her vehicle to a controlled stop and suffered minor injuries.

Investigators may examine the location of that first impact and the distance the van traveled afterward. That information could help reconstruct the sequence of events and determine whether anything occurred between the two collisions that affected the driver’s actions.

Legal Options for the Seriously and Critically Injured Occupants

The driver and passenger of the sedan suffered significant injuries in a crash that FHP attributes to a van traveling the wrong way.

Potential civil claims arising from the collision will depend on the complete investigation, applicable insurance coverage and other relevant facts.

Florida motorists may have access to applicable personal injury protection benefits under Florida Statute § 627.736.

When injuries exceed the scope of available no-fault benefits and applicable legal requirements are satisfied, additional claims may potentially be available against responsible parties or applicable insurance coverage.

Because the alleged wrong-way driver died following the crash, any liability claim involving that driver’s conduct may also require consideration of estate and insurance issues.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage May Become Relevant

In serious crashes, available insurance coverage can become a significant issue.

Depending on the policies involved, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may potentially provide another source of compensation when the at-fault driver’s liability coverage is unavailable or insufficient to cover serious injuries.

Whether such coverage applies depends on the specific insurance policies and circumstances involved.

For the sedan occupants who suffered serious and critical injuries, identifying all potentially applicable insurance coverage may be an important part of evaluating their legal options.

Comparative Fault Depends on the Evidence

Florida Statute § 768.81 addresses comparative fault when more than one party contributes to an accident or resulting injuries.

FHP’s preliminary account states that the van was traveling the wrong way when it first sideswiped the SUV and later struck the sedan head-on.

Nothing in the report provided indicates that the SUV or sedan drivers contributed to causing the collisions.

However, any civil determination of responsibility would ultimately depend on the complete evidence rather than the preliminary crash report alone.

FHP Continues to Investigate the Fatal Jacksonville Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the September 18 wrong-way crash on southbound I-95 just south of Park Avenue in Jacksonville.

According to FHP, a 75-year-old Jacksonville man was driving a van northbound in the southbound lanes when he sideswiped an SUV and continued traveling against traffic.

The van then collide