Northwest Miami-Dade, FL (February 13, 2026) – A serious crash along the southbound express lanes of Interstate 75 near Miami Gardens Dr on Thursday morning left three people injured, including one who was airlifted to a trauma center, according to officials.
Key Details
- Location: I-75 southbound express lanes near Miami Gardens Dr, Northwest Miami-Dade
- Reported: February 12 at approximately 7:40 a.m.
- Responding Agencies: Florida Highway Patrol, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
- Injuries: Three individuals injured; one airlifted, one transported by ground, one declined transport
- Road Impact: All southbound express lanes closed for several hours
- Hospital: Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center
What We Know So Far
- Emergency crews responded to a crash in the express lanes near Miami Gardens Dr.
- An MDFR air rescue helicopter landed on the highway to transport one injured victim.
- Two additional patients were evaluated at the scene by paramedics.
- Southbound express traffic was diverted into the regular lanes, causing major backups.
What’s Not Yet Confirmed
- The cause of the crash.
- The number of vehicles involved.
- The current condition of the hospitalized victims.
Local Context
Interstate 75 through Northwest Miami-Dade carries heavy commuter traffic, especially during the morning rush. The express lanes near Miami Gardens Dr are designed to move vehicles more efficiently, but when a crash occurs, options for rerouting are limited. With higher speeds and dense traffic flow, even a single disabled vehicle can quickly create dangerous conditions and long backups. In incidents like this, responders often close lanes to protect medical crews and prevent secondary collisions. Drivers traveling between Miami-Dade and Broward counties frequently use this stretch, which helps explain how traffic delays extended north toward Miramar Pkwy during the response.
What to Do Next
- If you were involved, get to a safe location if you can and check for injuries; call 911 when medical help is needed.
- Stay on scene and follow responder directions so the incident can be documented and the roadway can be managed safely.
- Save and back up dashcam footage quickly so it is not overwritten.
- Pay attention to how you feel later; some symptoms appear hours after an accident and may warrant medical evaluation.
FAQ
Q: Why do highway accidents create backups so quickly?
A: High-speed roads like interstates have limited space for disabled vehicles, and when lanes close, traffic volume quickly overwhelms the remaining open lanes.
Q: What do responders typically do first at an injury accident scene?
A: Crews focus on securing the area and assessing injuries before addressing traffic control and vehicle removal.
Q: Why might early details change after the initial call?
A: Initial reports are often based on limited information, and details can be updated as officials complete their on-scene assessment.