Fatal Crash on I-95 in Brevard County Leaves One Dead, Another Seriously Injured

A tragic crash on Interstate 95 in Brevard County on Saturday morning claimed the life of a 74-year-old Fort Pierce man and left a New Smyrna Beach woman seriously injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The multi-vehicle collision resulted in an hours-long closure of all southbound lanes and significant delays for travelers near Mims.

The crash occurred around 8:46 a.m. near mile marker 230, just south of Mims, and involved three vehicles: a pickup truck, a tractor-trailer, and a sedan, according to the FHP report.

• The pickup truck was traveling south in the outside lane of I-95.
• A sedan was traveling southbound in the center lane.
• A tractor-trailer was parked on the outside shoulder of the highway.

For reasons that are still under investigation, the pickup truck veered off the roadway to the right, rear-ended the parked tractor-trailer, then re-entered the highway, colliding with the sedan. After the impact, the pickup continued until it struck the median guardrail, FHP reported.

• The driver of the pickup truck, a 74-year-old man from Fort Pierce, was transported to Parrish Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
• The driver of the sedan, a 74-year-old woman from New Smyrna Beach, suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized. Her current condition is unknown.
• The driver and passenger of the tractor-trailer were not injured and remained on the scene, fully cooperating with investigators.

The crash prompted a full shutdown of all southbound lanes of I-95 near Mims for several hours, causing heavy backups as emergency crews worked to investigate and clear the scene. By around 1:40 p.m., only the rightmost lane remained closed. Traffic cameras showed long delays and congestion throughout the late morning and early afternoon.

While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, questions of liability and negligence may arise — especially with a commercial vehicle (tractor-trailer) parked on the shoulder.

Even though the pickup truck rear-ended the parked truck, investigators may look into:

• Whether the tractor-trailer was lawfully and safely parked on the shoulder.
• Mechanical issues or distractions that may have caused the driver of the pickup to lose control.
• Visibility or signage in the area that could have contributed to the crash.

If it is determined that any party acted negligently — for example, if the commercial truck was improperly stopped or parked in a hazardous manner — injured parties or their families may have grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death claim under Florida law.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we help families affected by tragic accidents navigate the aftermath and fight for justice. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a crash involving a commercial vehicle or due to roadway negligence, our firm is here to support you with compassionate, experienced representation.