SARASOTA COUNTY – A serious crash on Sunday afternoon left a Sarasota man in critical condition and injured three others, including a young child, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:09 PM at the intersection of U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) and Cass Way.
According to FHP, a Ford C-Max, driven by a 30-year-old Sarasota man, was traveling south on U.S. 41 when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle crossed over the raised median sideways into the northbound lanes of traffic.
At the same time, a Kia Sorento SUV, driven by a 36-year-old man from Park Ridge, Illinois, was traveling north on U.S. 41 in the outside lane. The Ford C-Max collided with the northbound SUV, causing significant damage to both vehicles.
Emergency responders transported the driver of the Ford C-Max to Sarasota Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
The three occupants of the Kia Sorento—a 36-year-old driver, a 30-year-old woman, and a 3-year-old girl, all from Park Ridge, Illinois—sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were also taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The Florida Highway Patrol is actively investigating the crash.
Divided Roads Aren’t a Guarantee: The Dangers of Crossover Crashes
While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, incidents where vehicles cross medians into oncoming traffic are often severe. Raised medians are designed to prevent crossover crashes, but when a vehicle loses control, the consequences can be devastating.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- Head-on collisions account for 10% of all fatal crashes despite being relatively rare.
- Median crossover crashes are particularly dangerous, as opposing traffic is often traveling at high speeds, leaving little reaction time.
- Driver inattention, fatigue, or sudden evasive maneuvers are common factors in these types of accidents.
To reduce the risk of crossover crashes:
- Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions that could lead to loss of control.
- Drive at safe speeds, especially on high-speed roadways with medians.
- Maintain your lane and avoid sudden swerving, which can cause instability.
By staying alert and in control, drivers can help prevent serious crashes like this one.
The post Multiple Injured After Car Crosses Median and Causes Head-On Crash on U.S. 41 in Sarasota appeared first on Justice Pays.
