Motorcyclist hurt after colliding with SUV

Huge backups on first day of bridge closure

The first two days of the week-long total closure of the 17th Street Bridge went about as expected – with long lines on the alternate route between the island and the mainland of Vero Beach, the Merrill P. Barber Bridge and its approaches. Motorists traveling between the island and the mainland found out that it took them about twice as long as normal to reach their destinations as all traffic that normally takes the 17th Street Bridge, about 20,000 vehicles per day and perhaps more in season – was detoured and rerouted to the Barber bridge. The Vero Beach Police Department warned motorists about delays and said it had officers out on Indian River Boulevard Tuesday to help direct the ...

2 seriously hurt in multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 1

GIFFORD — Two people suffered severe injuries following a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 1 that left a person trapped inside an automobile, sheriff's deputies said. Indian River County Fire Rescue crews used rescue machinery to free the individual from the wreckage, said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. The wreck involving a silver van, Subaru Outback and an unknown third vehicle, happened about 11 a.m. Monday in the 4500 block of U.S. 1, east of Old Dixie Highway in Gifford. Jaworski said the vehicles had heavy damage from impact. One person was flown to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, while the other individual was taken by ambulance, Jaworski said. Florida Highway Patrol ...

Phone, clothing left behind helps police nab Mulligan’s robbery suspect

VERO BEACH — A phone with text messages and calls to a getaway driver and a Mulligan's employee, along with DNA extracted from a mask, helped detectives make an arrest in the armed robbery of a beachside restaurant that occurred in mid-August. Officers said the suspect left behind his phone, mask, and other items during his escape. After the robbery, the suspect met up with the Mulligan's employee at a barbecue in Gifford, reports show. Police on Wednesday arrested Sederick Maurice Upton, 43, of the 2400 block of 42nd Street, Gifford, on charges of robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping or false imprisonment and burglary with assault. Upton was held Saturday at the Indian River ...