Manatee County, FL (September 8, 2026) – Two drivers were critically injured, and three children suffered minor injuries on Sunday afternoon in a two-car crash on State Road 70 in Manatee County.
The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. on September 6, west of Mobley Pond Lane. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 42-year-old Archer man was driving a 2010 Honda Accord westbound when he entered the eastbound lane while going through a curve.
The Honda collided with a 2021 Honda Accord driven by a 42-year-old Boynton Beach man. Both vehicles rotated and came to rest in a grassy ditch.
Both drivers were taken to an area hospital with critical injuries. Three girls from Boynton Beach, ages 7, 10, and 15, were passengers in the eastbound vehicle and were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation. We hope everyone injured makes a full recovery.
What to Know About Head-on Crashes
Head-on crashes can cause severe injuries because vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with significant combined force. The risk can be especially high when a vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic.
Drivers may leave their lane because of distractions, fatigue, impairment, medical emergencies, excessive speed, or difficulty negotiating a curve. Road conditions and visibility can also affect vehicle control.
Maintaining a safe speed through curves and staying focused on the roadway can help reduce the risk of crossing into opposing traffic. Children should also be properly secured in age- and size-appropriate restraints while traveling in a vehicle.
