PALM CITY, Martin County, Fla., Nov. 1, 2026 — Three people died in a crash on northbound I-95 in Martin County late Saturday night, October 31, when a car struck a parked tractor-trailer. The dead include a 5-year-old boy.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash was reported around 11:05 p.m. near mile marker 112 on northbound I-95. Investigators said a 2017 Toyota Camry was traveling in the outside lane when it drifted onto the right shoulder for reasons that have not been determined and hit the back of a parked 2012 Kenworth tractor-trailer's 53-foot trailer.
The impact sent the Camry spinning across all three northbound lanes before it came to rest on the left shoulder. Three people inside the Camry died at the scene: a 34-year-old man, a 5-year-old boy and a woman whose age has not been released. All three were from Port St. Lucie.
The Camry's driver, a 31-year-old Port St. Lucie woman, suffered injuries described as non-incapacitating. An 11-year-old girl also riding in the car suffered incapacitating injuries. Both were taken to St. Mary's Medical Center, the driver by ground ambulance and the child by LifeStar helicopter.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 60-year-old Miami man, was not hurt. His truck had been parked on the right shoulder at the time of the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash remains under review. We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victims' family.
More on Crashes in Palm City, FL
This fatal crash happened on I-95 in Palm City, FL. We cover crashes across Martin County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Martin County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do fatal crashes most frequently happen?
Highways and interstates see a large share of fatal crashes because of higher speeds, though they can occur on any road, including shoulders where vehicles are stopped or parked.
What factors make a crash more likely to be fatal?
Higher speeds, impact with a fixed or heavy object such as a parked truck, and failure to stay in the travel lane all raise the chance that a crash will be fatal.
How does speed affect whether people survive a crash?
Higher speeds mean more force at impact, which increases the severity of injuries and lowers the odds of survival, especially in collisions with larger, stationary vehicles.
Why does seat belt use matter so much?
A seat belt keeps an occupant from being thrown inside the vehicle or ejected during a spin or sudden impact, which lowers the risk of severe or fatal injury.
