MIMS, Brevard County, Fla., Oct. 11, 2026 — A Brevard County sheriff's deputy and a second driver died on Saturday night, October 10, in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 95 in Mims. The deputy was reportedly on his way to the scene of a separate deputy-involved shooting when the crash happened.
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office identified the deputy as 55-year-old Kevin Morris. Sheriff Wayne Ivey said Morris was driving on I-95 when a vehicle traveling the wrong way struck his car. The driver of that vehicle, a 26-year-old woman, also died, according to the sheriff's office.
The Florida Highway Patrol, which is leading the crash investigation, said the driver had made a U-turn near State Road 46 and ended up heading north in the southbound lanes before the collision. Troopers said she was reportedly driving home to Kissimmee, FL, from a wedding in Brevard County. The agency said it is still working to determine exactly how and why the wrong-way move happened.
Our sympathies are with the family and friends of the victim.
A Common Misconception About Wrong-Way Crashes
Many drivers assume wrong-way crashes are rare freak events, something that happens to someone else on a highway far from home. The numbers don't support treating them as a statistical afterthought. They are a small share of all crashes, but they are heavily concentrated on high-speed, divided roads like interstates, where a head-on impact at highway speed leaves little time for either driver to react.
Another assumption is that these crashes mostly involve long stretches of confusion, a driver traveling miles the wrong way before anyone notices. In practice, many wrong-way entries occur near interchanges or U-turn points, meaning the window between the wrong turn and a collision can be short.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 37,654 fatal traffic crashes occurred in 2023. Wrong-way and head-on crashes account for a portion of that total, but because they typically involve a direct, high-speed impact between two vehicles moving toward each other, they tend to produce more serious outcomes than crashes overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does speed affect whether people survive a crash like this?
Higher speed means more force at impact, and in head-on collisions, that force is not absorbed gradually. Even modest increases in speed can make the difference between survivable and fatal injuries.
Why does seat belt use matter so much in these crashes?
A seat belt keeps an occupant positioned against the seat and restrains them during the sudden stop, reducing the chance they are thrown into the dashboard, windshield, or another occupant.
What should families do after a fatal crash like this one?
Families can request the official crash report once it's released, ask the investigating agency for updates, and take time before making decisions about next steps.
How are fatal crashes like this one investigated?
Investigators typically examine the vehicles, the roadway, witness accounts, and available video or data recorders to reconstruct how the crash happened before issuing a final report.
What to Do After a Wrong-Way Crash in Mims, FL
If you witness or are involved in a wrong-way crash, call 911 immediately and, if it's safe, move away from traffic lanes. Wrong-way wrecks often happen on highways, so staying clear of moving vehicles matters as much as checking on anyone hurt.
Anyone involved, even if they feel fine, should get a medical evaluation. Some injuries, especially to the head, neck, or chest, don't show symptoms right away. Keep records of any treatment and follow up with your doctor if new symptoms appear in the days afterward.
Request a copy of the official report from the Florida Highway Patrol once it's available, and reach out to your insurance company to begin documenting the incident. Residents of Mims and nearby communities can also contact the sheriff's office or the Highway Patrol directly with questions about the investigation's progress.
