Florida Mother Killed in Wrong-Way I-10 Crash After Dropping Daughter Off at FAMU

A Florida mother was killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 10 in Madison County while returning home after dropping her daughter off for her first semester at Florida A&M University.

Terri Pollock, 35, was critically injured in the August 19, 2026 head-on collision and later died from her injuries. Pollock’s 13-year-old daughter, Tariji Cone, was also critically injured in the crash.

The tragedy came just as Pollock and her family were celebrating several major milestones, including her own recent graduation with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and her older daughter beginning college.

What Happened in the Fatal I-10 Wrong-Way Crash?

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 7:10 p.m. on Interstate 10 in Madison County.

Pollock was traveling eastbound in an SUV when a sedan driven by a 29-year-old Englewood woman was reportedly traveling westbound in the inside eastbound lane of I-10.

The two vehicles collided head-on.

Witnesses reported heavy rainfall around the time of the collision. Following the impact, the vehicles came to rest on opposite shoulders of the interstate.

Three people were transported to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare with critical injuries.

Pollock ultimately died from her injuries. Her 13-year-old daughter reportedly suffered multiple broken bones and remained in critical condition.

Pollock Was Returning Home After Moving Her Daughter Into FAMU

Pollock, a single mother from Melbourne in Brevard County, had traveled to Tallahassee to help her daughter, Danaijah Jackson, begin her freshman year at Florida A&M University.

The family had already celebrated significant educational achievements together. Jackson reportedly earned her associate degree at the same time she received her high school diploma.

Pollock had reached a milestone of her own just months earlier, earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing in May 2026.

What should have been the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the family instead ended in an unimaginable tragedy on Pollock’s drive home.

GoFundMe Created to Support Terri Pollock’s Daughters

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established on behalf of Pollock and her daughters to help the family with funeral, medical and educational expenses.

According to the fundraiser, the family is now facing funeral expenses for Pollock, college expenses for Danaijah and significant medical costs for Tariji, including continued treatment and physical therapy.

As of August 26, the fundraiser had collected more than $10,000 toward its $22,000 goal.

Those wishing to support the family can visit the GoFundMe for Terri Pollock and her daughters.

Wrong-Way Crashes Can Raise Significant Liability Questions

Wrong-way crashes are among the most dangerous types of highway collisions because they can result in high-speed, head-on impacts.

According to the preliminary information released by FHP, the 29-year-old sedan driver was traveling westbound in an eastbound lane immediately before colliding with Pollock’s SUV.

Investigators will likely seek to determine how and why the sedan entered or remained on the interstate traveling in the wrong direction.

Potential evidence could include witness statements, traffic and surveillance footage, physical evidence from the roadway, vehicle data and information about the driver’s actions before the collision.

Heavy rain was also reported at the time. Under Florida law, motorists are required to operate their vehicles at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions and to reduce speed when special hazards exist because of weather or highway conditions. See Fla. Stat. § 316.183.

However, the investigation remains ongoing, and the currently available information does not explain why the sedan was traveling in the wrong direction.

Florida Law Prohibits Driving on the Wrong Side of a Divided Highway

Florida Statute § 316.090 addresses driving on divided highways. Where a highway has been divided into separate roadways, motorists are generally required to drive only on the right-hand roadway unless directed or permitted otherwise.

The statute also prohibits driving over, across or within dividing spaces, physical barriers or sections separating the roadways except through authorized openings or crossings.

Whether a violation occurred in this particular case and how the sedan entered the eastbound lanes will depend on the findings of FHP’s investigation.

Could Pollock’s Family Have a Florida Wrongful Death Claim?

If investigators determine that another driver’s negligence caused Pollock’s death, her estate and qualifying survivors may have rights under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16–768.26.

Florida wrongful death cases are generally brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate for the benefit of eligible survivors and the estate.

Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages can potentially include lost support and services, medical and funeral expenses, loss of companionship and protection, and certain mental pain and suffering damages available to qualifying survivors.

The specific damages available depend on factors including the survivor’s relationship to the person who died.

Pollock’s Daughter May Have a Separate Personal Injury Claim

The collision did not only result in Pollock’s death. Her 13-year-old daughter reportedly suffered serious injuries, including multiple broken bones.

If another driver’s negligence is ultimately found to have caused the crash, the injured child may potentially have a separate personal injury claim for damages resulting from her injuries.

Those damages could include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation and physical therapy costs, pain and suffering, and other losses supported by the evidence.

Because she is a minor, additional procedural considerations can apply to resolving a personal injury claim on her behalf.

Insurance Coverage Could Become an Important Issue

When a collision causes a death and catastrophic injuries, available insurance coverage can become a significant part of the legal investigation.

Attorneys investigating a crash like this may seek to identify all potentially applicable policies, including bodily injury liability coverage and any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage available to the victims.

This can be particularly important when the losses caused by a crash significantly exceed the at-fault driver’s available liability limits.

The publicly available information does not identify the insurance coverage carried by either driver in this collision.

Preserving Evidence After a Wrong-Way Interstate Crash

Because the circumstances surrounding how a driver entered the wrong side of an interstate can become central to determining liability, preserving evidence early may be particularly important.

Potential evidence may include:

• Event data recorder information from both vehicles
• Photographs and measurements from the crash scene
• Witness statements and contact information
• Traffic and surveillance camera footage
• 911 calls and dispatch records
• Cellphone records when legally obtainable
• Vehicle inspection evidence
• Roadway signs, pavement markings and entrance-ramp configurations
• Weather and visibility information
• Medical and emergency response records

Evidence showing where the wrong-way driver entered the interstate could be especially important in reconstructing the events that led to the collision.

Investigation Into Fatal Madison County I-10 Crash Continues

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the August 19 wrong-way collision that ultimately claimed the life of 35-year-old Terri Pollock and critically injured her young daughter.

According to the preliminary investigation, Pollock was driving east on I-10 when a sedan traveling west in the eastbound lanes collided head-on with her SUV.

The crash occurred shortly after Pollock had experienced what should have been a proud moment for any parent: helping her daughter begin her first semester at Florida A&M University.

We extend our deepest condolences to Terri Pollock’s daughters, family and loved ones as they grieve her loss and support Tariji through her recovery.

Those who would like to help the family with funeral, medical and college expenses can contribute through the FAMU Move-In to Heartbreak GoFundMe fundraiser.