A wrong-way crash in the I-95 express lanes before sunrise Sunday left a Miami police officer injured and another driver in critical condition, after authorities say a southbound Kia slammed into the officer's northbound cruiser.
The violent collision shut down the express lanes as emergency crews rushed to stabilize both people and get them to a trauma center, police said.
The officer was driving north in the express lanes around 2:16 a.m. when a male driver in a Kia headed south in the same lanes and struck the cruiser. Both were taken to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The officer "is expected to make a full recovery," while the Kia driver "remains in critical condition," according to the Miami Herald.
Why Wrong-Way Crashes Are So Dangerous
Wrong-way crashes do not happen often, but when they do, they are far more likely to be deadly. Safety researchers and state officials have documented hundreds of such fatalities nationwide each year, noting that many of these collisions happen overnight and are frequently tied to impairment, driver confusion or tricky ramp designs.
To tackle the problem, transportation officials recommend countermeasures such as wrong-way detection systems, flashing LED "Wrong Way" signs and targeted enforcement, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Investigation Ongoing
The Miami Police Department said Sunday that traffic investigators are working the case but released few specifics about what led up to the crash. No names have been made public, and police said only that they are processing the scene and gathering information, according to the Miami Herald.
How Florida Is Trying To Cut Down On Wrong-Way Crashes
Across Florida, officials have been working for years to keep drivers from mistakenly entering freeways in the wrong direction. The Florida Department of Transportation has carried out statewide studies and pilot projects that tested various countermeasures, including different signs, pavement markings and vehicle-activated detection systems.
FDOT's statewide wrong-way crash study and follow-up pilot projects recommended targeted steps to prevent these incidents. Those include LED-highlighted signage and sensor-based alerts that transportation agencies say can reduce wrong-way entries at ramps where they are installed, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not released additional information. This story will be updated when Miami police provide more details.
