Crime & Public Safety
Wrong-way crash on Southern Boulevard overpass linked to suspected DUI; driver ordered to house arrest
A wrong-way, head-on collision on the Southern Boulevard overpass at Jog Road in West Palm Beach left one driver fatally injured and another critically hurt after an early-morning crash on Aug. 23. Deputies responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Southern Boulevard and located a 2017 Toyota Corolla and a 2019 Honda Insight with severe front-end damage.
According to the affidavit, callers reported the Corolla traveling alternately westbound in eastbound lanes and eastbound in the westbound lanes. Investigators say the Corolla struck the other vehicle head-on; both drivers were critically injured and taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center. One driver later was pronounced brain dead and subsequently underwent organ donation surgery; the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed the death to complications of blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash.
Deputies reported open beer cans in the Toyota and an odor of alcohol. A blood sample taken at 7:28 a.m. tested at about 0.20 blood alcohol concentration. Investigators recovered event data recorder information showing the Toyota was traveling about 43–44 mph in the seconds before impact and that the driver did not apply the brakes in the five seconds prior to collision.
The driver of the Toyota faces multiple felony charges, including vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter, according to court records. Bond was set at $52,000; after posting bond in mid-September the defendant was ordered to remain on house arrest and surrendered a passport. Those allegations are documented in the affidavit and court filings; criminal proceedings remain pending.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.