Update: The roadway was reopened by Sunday morning.
Earlier story:
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Three people were killed and three others – including a child – were seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash that blocked northbound U.S. 1 Saturday, authorities said. The collision caused heavy delays in the area as deputies diverted northbound traffic to Oslo Road.
The wreck claimed the lives of a 58-year-old Vero Beach man, a 93-year-old man and an 89-year-old woman, both of Fort Pierce, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Those hurt in the crash were a 59-year-old Vero Beach man and a 7-year-old boy, both of Vero Beach, and a 61-year-old Hollywood man.
FHP troopers are no longer releasing the names of crash victims because of privacy reasons.
.@IRCSheriff deputies direct traffic after closing lanes on northbound U.S. 1 following a fatal morning crash near Oslo Road. #VeroNews pic.twitter.com/6msSfl8Hls
— Nicholas Samuel (@JournalistNickS) January 8, 2022
The collision happened about 10:19 a.m. in the 700 block of U.S. 1, north of Oslo Road at the entrance to the Publix Supermarket at South Vero Square Plaza, troopers said. Troopers said a black 2016 Kia sedan with three people inside was traveling northbound on U.S. 1 in the outside lane.
The driver of a gray 2005 Dodge van was headed southbound on U.S. 1 and attempted to make a left turn into the shopping plaza. The van driver veered into the path of the Kia, troopers said.
Troopers said the Kia struck the van – carrying three people – on its right side.
The 58-year-old Vero Beach man – who was the van’s front seat passenger – was taken to the Vero Beach emergency room, where doctors pronounced him dead, troopers said. The elderly Fort Pierce man and woman – who were passengers in the Kia – were taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce, where they died from their injuries.
The 7-year-old boy, a passenger in the van, was flown to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, troopers said. The van driver, a 59-year-old Vero Beach man, and the Kia driver, a 61-year-old Hollywood man, were both taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center.
Sheriff’s deputies shut down northbound traffic on U.S. 1 at Oslo Road. It was unclear when the roadway was expected to reopen.
Highway troopers were continuing to investigate the crash late Saturday.
No further details were immediately available.
