VIDEO: Police chase wrong-way driver in Jupiter before fatal Martin County crash
The Florida Highway Patrol has released new details about a deadly wrong-way crash on U.S. 1 that killed one driver and injured four others , including two young children. According to FHP, the crash happened Saturday, May 24, near 16450 U.S. Highway 1 in Martin County, close to the entrance of Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound. The crash was reported at 4:30 p.m. FHP identified the wrong-way vehicle as a 2022 Ford Escape driven by a 43-year-old West Palm Beach man. Troopers said his next of kin had not yet been notified. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Surveillance video (below) shows the Ford Escape going the wrong way in Jupiter around the 2-second mark, followed by multiple police vehicles. The crash also involved a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport driven by a 63-year-old woman from Jupiter and a 2017 BMW X5 driven by a 39-year-old woman from Brookhaven, Georgia. Two boys, ages 6 and 3, both from Brookhaven, were passengers in the BMW, according to FHP. Earlier reporting from CBS12, citing the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, said four people were hospitalized after the fiery three-vehicle crash, including children initially reported as ages 4 and 6. Sheriff John Budensiek said at the time that the 6-year-old was lethargic and flown to St. Mary’s Hospital, while the other child and two adults were taken by ground. See also: Tiger Woods breaks silence on Memorial Day following DUI arrest in Florida FHP said the incident began in Riviera Beach, where a U.S. Border Patrol law enforcement vehicle was traveling south on U.S. 1. Agents saw the Ford Escape traveling north in the southbound lanes, made a U-turn and tried to stop it. The Ford continued north in the southbound lanes at a high rate of speed, according to FHP. Troopers said the Border Patrol agents pursued the Ford from the northbound side of U.S. 1 while notifying local law enforcement. The vehicle continued the wrong way for about 16 miles, passing through Juno Beach and Jupiter before entering Martin County. CBS12 previously reported that multiple agencies responded, including Juno Beach Police, Jupiter Police, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and FHP. Sheriff Budensiek said Jupiter police deployed stop sticks, deflating one tire, but the driver continued and nearly struck an officer before crossing into Martin County. See also: Is Florida a good place to raise a family? Study gives state low marks FHP said the Ford collided with several vehicles along the way before reaching the area near Jonathan Dickinson State Park, where it collided with the Land Rover and BMW. The Ford came to rest on the west grass shoulder and caught fire. The Traffic Homicide Investigation remains ongoing. FHP said the crash report will be available in 10 days. The full Traffic Homicide Investigation Report is expected to be available in 90 days. The Martin County Sheriff's Office is expected to hold a news conference today at 2:30 to provide more details. CBS12 will be there and bring you the latest updates.
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