SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian Police Department wants to know if you saw the fatal wreck that occurred on US 1 near Captain Hiram’s Resort Monday around 3:30 p.m.
Investigators are piecing together what happened that afternoon when one driver jumped the curbed median and collided with another, resulting in the death of 62-year-old Richard Howell, of Sebastian.
Sebastian Police spokesman Officer Steve Marcinik said that the department is already going over several witness accounts but that investigators want to hear from others who might not have realized what they saw at the time.
According to Marcinik, Richard Sorrentino, 48, of Fellsmere, was driving a 2007 Chevy pickup south on US 1 when for some as of yet unknown reason he drove over the curbed median into the northbound lanes, striking Howell’s 1999 Chevy.
The crash was reported as a “primary head-on”, though Marcinik added that there was an angle to it, as well.
Sorrentino was transported to an area hospital to have blood drawn for investigative purposes, according to Marcinik, who added that the procedure is standard in the case of fatal crashes.
Sorrentino was also complaining of injuries related to the crash, the officer said. Whether Sorrentino has been released from the hospital remains unclear.
Marcinik said the investigators are also working on determining how the crash occurred, noting that they are following up on leads and witness statements to determine whether or not Sorrentino may have been distracted while driving.
No charges have been filed in the fatal crash and no arrests have been made, all pending the outcome of the “thorough” and “very active” investigation, Marcinik said.
Both vehicles sustained extensive damage in the collision, according to the officer.
Anyone who might have seen the crash or has any information pertaining to the investigation is asked to contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Ben Delaney by calling 9772) 589-5233.
