Deadly Crash Closes Lanes on Florida’s Turnpike South in St. Lucie County: Legal Options for Families After a Wrong-Way Collision

A tragic head-on collision shut down lanes on Florida’s Turnpike South in St. Lucie County for several hours overnight, leaving one man dead and raising urgent questions about what led up to the fatal crash. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the wreck occurred around 8:40 p.m. Thursday near the entrance ramp from Okeechobee Road in Port St. Lucie.

Traffic cameras showed that the incident involved a box truck and caused significant delays, with vehicles backed up for more than two miles.

FHP investigators say the deadly crash unfolded on the southbound entrance ramp:

• A 62-year-old pickup truck driver, traveling southbound on the ramp from Okeechobee Road, collided head-on with a 37-year-old man driving a box truck traveling northbound on the southbound ramp — a direction of travel that should not occur under normal circumstances.
• Captain Satchelle Peterkin pronounced the pickup truck driver deceased at the scene.

The collision forces remain under investigation, including how and why the box truck was traveling northbound on a southbound ramp — a scenario often associated with:

• Driver confusion
• Fatigued or impaired driving
• GPS routing errors
• Improper signage
• Failure to observe posted ramp restrictions

Wrong-way crashes are among the deadliest types of collisions because they occur at high speeds with no time for either driver to react.

Due to the severity of the crash, authorities closed:

• The southbound exit to Okeechobee Road
• Both entrance ramps from Okeechobee Road

Lanes remained closed deep into the early morning hours. While cars were eventually permitted to pass using the shoulder, traffic congestion extended more than two miles, impacting commuters and overnight travelers.

Understanding Liability in Wrong-Way Ramp Crashes

Collisions on limited-access highways or turnpike ramps require careful investigation due to the complexity of traffic flow and signage. In cases like this, liability may rest with:

1. The Other Driver

If the northbound box truck operator entered the wrong ramp or failed to obey signage, they may be liable for:

• Wrongful death
• Negligence
• Failure to maintain proper lane of travel
• Driving while distracted, fatigued, or impaired

2. The Trucking or Delivery Company

If the box truck was being used for work, the employer may also be responsible for:

• Inadequate driver training
• Improper oversight
• Pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines

3. State or Local Agencies (in rare cases)

If signage was missing, obstructed, or confusing, infrastructure-related negligence may play a role. These claims require rapid preservation of evidence and strict notice procedures.

Wrong-way crashes almost always involve preventable mistakes — which means families may have the right to pursue compensation.

What Families Should Do After a Fatal Crash on the Turnpike

Losing a loved one in a sudden and devastating crash is overwhelming. But important evidence can disappear quickly. Families should:

✔ Request the crash report and roadway video footage
✔ Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters without legal counsel
✔ Gather medical and funeral records
✔ Preserve photos, witness statements, and vehicle information
✔ Contact a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible

Accident reconstruction, vehicle data downloads, and potential surveillance footage must be secured before they are lost.

Our Firm Helps Families After Wrong-Way and Turnpike Crashes Across Florida

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have extensive experience handling catastrophic turnpike and interstate crashes throughout St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast. Our firm:

• Keeps a small caseload so every family receives direct access to an attorney
• Conducts independent investigations, even when police reports appear conclusive
• Handles complex cases involving commercial vehicles, wrong-way drivers, and fatal collisions
• Charges no fees unless we win

We have recovered millions on behalf of families devastated by preventable tragedies — including cases other firms refuse to take.

We represent families throughout St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and the Treasure Coast, and we are available for free, confidential consultations.