Okeechobee Co., FL (May 17, 2026) – One woman died and two others were injured after a utility terrain vehicle overturned on private property in Okeechobee County.
The crash happened on May 16 at 21021 Northwest 240th Street. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, 34-year-old Seydi Dariela Galeano Salinas, of Port St. Lucie, was riding in the front passenger seat of the utility terrain vehicle when it overturned.
Salinas was ejected and struck the sand surface. She was flown to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, where she later died from her injuries.
Two other women, ages 33 and 24, were also injured while riding in the rear seats. The accused driver, identified as 25-year-old Blanca Y. Ruiz Dominguez of Vero Beach, also sustained an arm injury and was taken for medical care.
Authorities said Ruiz Dominguez was later charged with DUI manslaughter and three counts of driving under the influence with damage to property or person.
The case remains under investigation. We extend our sincere condolences to Seydi Dariela Galeano Salinas’s family and loved ones.
Why UTV Rollover Accidents Can Be Deadly
Utility terrain vehicle rollover accidents can cause severe injuries because riders may be thrown from the vehicle or trapped beneath it. These vehicles are often used on private land, sand, fields, trails, or uneven ground, where sudden turns and surface changes can affect stability.
When a utility terrain vehicle overturns, passengers may suffer head trauma, chest injuries, broken bones, internal trauma, or crushing injuries. Medical teams may use air transport when a patient needs fast access to a trauma center. Investigators may review the vehicle’s speed, steering movement, terrain, seating positions, restraints, impairment evidence, and witness statements. These details can help explain how the rollover happened and why the injuries were fatal.
