Charlotte County, FL (March 28, 2026) – A North Fort Myers man and two children were killed in a crash on northbound I-75 near MM 153 in Charlotte County.
Emergency units responded to the crash at about 5:49 p.m. on Friday, March 27. Investigators said a 28-year-old man driving a 2014 Jeep Wrangler southbound at a high rate of speed crossed the grassy median and entered the northbound lanes.
The Jeep struck the left side of a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe travelling north. The force of the impact split the SUV in two, and the wreckage came to rest on the right shoulder of the highway. The Jeep overturned during the crash and came to a stop along the shoulder.
Officials said the driver of the Hyundai, a 25-year-old man from North Fort Myers, died at the scene. A 5-year-old boy riding in the SUV was also pronounced dead at the scene. A 6-year-old boy who was also in the SUV suffered critical injuries and was flown to a hospital in Tampa. He later died from his injuries.
The driver of the Jeep, identified as a 28-year-old man from Laurel, New York, was seriously injured and taken to a hospital. Northbound lanes of I-75 near Exit 143 (Bayshore Rd) were closed for several hours following the crash before reopening later that night.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available. Our sincere condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.
How Median Crossovers Can Lead to Severe Highway Crashes
Highway medians are designed to separate vehicles travelling in opposite directions. When a vehicle crosses this barrier, the risk of a severe crash increases sharply because the vehicles involved are often moving at highway speeds.
Head-on or side-impact collisions on highways tend to involve high forces due to the high speeds of both vehicles. These impacts can cause extensive vehicle damage and increase the risk of serious harm to occupants.
Loss of control, excessive speed, or sudden steering movements can sometimes cause a vehicle to leave its lane and enter the median. If the vehicle continues across the median, it may enter opposing traffic lanes, leaving other drivers little time to react.
Vehicle design and roadway features can affect how crashes unfold. However, when vehicles travelling in opposite directions collide at high speed, the consequences are often severe due to the combined impact force.
