Deadly Crash Shuts Down Florida’s Turnpike Northbound at Sunrise Boulevard

A fatal crash on Florida’s Turnpike brought traffic to a complete standstill Monday morning after authorities shut down all northbound lanes at Sunrise Boulevard, according to officials.

The collision prompted a full closure as investigators worked the scene, forcing drivers to exit at Sunrise Boulevard and divert to Interstate 95 or University Drive as alternate routes.

Video from the scene showed severe damage, underscoring the violent nature of the collision:

• One vehicle was overturned in the roadway, crushed almost beyond recognition
• A second vehicle, believed to be a sedan, sustained heavy front-end damage and was later towed
• The crash resulted in at least one fatality, though the identity of the victim has not yet been released

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has not yet disclosed what caused the crash or whether speed, impairment, or other factors may have contributed. The investigation remains ongoing.

Florida’s Turnpike is a high-speed, high-volume roadway, meaning crashes often result in severe or fatal injuries due to:

• Elevated travel speeds
• Limited reaction time
• Close vehicle spacing
• Multi-lane impacts or rollovers

When a vehicle overturns at highway speeds, occupants face a high risk of traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, or death—even when seatbelts are worn.

Determining Liability After a Fatal Highway Crash

In deadly highway collisions, investigators examine a wide range of factors to determine fault, including:

• Speed and braking patterns
• Lane changes or unsafe maneuvers
• Driver distraction or impairment
• Mechanical failure
• Roadway design or visibility issues
• Event data recorders (“black box” data)

If another driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the crash, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Florida law.

Legal Options for Families After a Fatal Crash

Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, eligible family members may seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship, protection, and guidance
• Mental pain and suffering
• Medical expenses incurred before death

Depending on the facts, liability may extend beyond a single driver to include:

• Vehicle owners
• Employers (if a driver was working at the time)
• Manufacturers (defective parts or systems)
• Government entities (dangerous road conditions or inadequate signage)

These cases are time-sensitive, and critical evidence—such as vehicle data, surveillance footage, and witness statements—can be lost quickly if not preserved.

How Flanagan & Bodenheimer Helps Families After Fatal Crashes

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families devastated by sudden, preventable tragedies on Florida highways, including crashes on the Turnpike.

Unlike high-volume firms, we intentionally maintain a small caseload, ensuring every family has direct access to an attorney—not a case manager.

Our team immediately works to:

• Conduct an independent investigation
• Preserve vehicle and crash-scene evidence
• Obtain traffic camera and surveillance footage
• Analyze FHP reports and black box data
• Identify all potential sources of insurance coverage
• Handle all communications with insurers and investigators

Families pay nothing upfront. We only recover fees if we recover compensation.

If your loved one was killed in the Turnpike crash at Sunrise Boulevard, you do not have to navigate this difficult time alone. Understanding your legal rights now can help protect your family’s future.

📞 Contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation.