MERRITT ISLAND, Florida — The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that 38-year-old William R. Jones of Merritt Island, Florida did not survive the injuries he sustained in a vehicle accident that occurred on South Tropical Trail just one mile north of Pineda Causeway on Merritt Island, Florida around this 11:37 a.m. today.
70-year-old John Hartman of Melbourne, Florida was driving a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe southbound while 35-year-old Melissa Chapman of Merritt Island, Florida was driving a 1986 Chevy Celebrity northbound on South Tropical Trail.
FHP says that Hartman looked down and when he looked up he had drifted into the northbound lane and into the path of the Chevy. Both vehicles collided head-on.
Hartman and Champman were airlifted to Holmes Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. Jones, who was a passenger in the Chevy, was transported to Viera Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:04 p.m.
The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.
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At 35 MPH? Seat belts? High Speed? This report leaves many questions......
At 35 MPH? Seat belts? High Speed? This report leaves many questions......