Fatal chain-reaction crash closes Julia Tuttle Causeway

Drivers on the Julia Tuttle Causeway were forced into a “lazy Sunday” when an accident shut down the causeway for a few hours. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the four vehicle chain-reaction crash resulted in the death of one person.

The car accident occurred as the four vehicles involved traveled east on Biscayne Boulevard toward the causeway. When traffic on Biscayne Boulevard stalled, around 10:30 in the morning, a Honda CRV hit the back of a Mercedes-Benz E230. The Mercedes-Benz in turn hit the automobile in front of it, a Lexus ES350. The collisions did not end there. After hitting the Mercedes-Benz, the Honda crashed into a barrier made of concrete before re-entering traffic where a Mazda CX7 was unable to avoid hitting the SUV.

The driver of the Honda, a 79-year-old man, was critically injured and died at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. Two occupants of the Mercedes-Benz were injured including the driver. In addition, the 56-year-old driver of the Lexus was also hurt. The extents of the injuries to the individuals are unknown. The passenger in the Lexus was not injured in the crash. Nor was the driver of the Mazda.

After the crash a detour was created that directed traffic either to Interstate 95 or north on the boulevard. The reroute was in place for a few hours while the accident was cleared.

Depending on the number of vehicles involved in a chain-reaction car crash, personal injury lawsuits can be complicated. Accordingly, anyone considering filing such a suit should seek assistance in a timely manner.

Source: The Miami Herald, “Fatal crash shuts down Miami Beach-bound traffic on the Julia Tuttle Causeway,” Luisa Yanez and Diana Moskovitz, Sept. 25, 2011