Florida officer hailed for ‘heroic act’ preventing injuries and death

Photo by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

​On the night of Monday, July 24, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) in the Orlando area received word that a 2022 Toyota Corolla was barreling eastbound on a westbound entrance ramp leading to Interstate 4 (I-4) from County Road (CR) 423; FHP, Orlando Police Department (OPD), and Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) responded to the scene, with a trooper's actions helping prevent an unknown number of potential injuries and deaths from a wrong-way crash.

According to a release from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), after arriving on the scene, the Trooper positioned their own vehicle in the direct path of the Corolla to physically block its ability to enter the normal flow of traffic.

The Corolla then attempted to swerve into the travel lanes, while FHP continued to further block travel, ultimately causing the Corolla to collide with the marked unit car before crashing into a palm tree in the entrance ramp's shoulder. The Trooper and the Corolla's drivers both incurred minor injuries and were promptly transported to area hospitals.

"FHP's response to the report of wrong-way driving and the actions of the trooper involved, without a doubt, saved lives," said FHP Colonel Gary Howze II. "Everyone on the road is responsible for their actions and their impact on others around them; whether intentional or not, a driver’s situational awareness will likely make the difference if someone is injured or killed on our roadways."

Wrong-way fatal crashes are already at 29 as of May 24, 2023, while the total for 2022 was 45, the release states. The numbers demonstrate a steady upward trend in total wrong-way crashes resulting in fatality within 30 days of the incident or serious bodily injury.

The FLHSMV encourages drivers to make good decisions when they get behind the wheel, as wrong-way crashes most commonly involve factors that are within the driver's control, such as drowsy driving, driving while intoxicated, distracted driving, or impaired mental health.

Whether driving on the interstate, local, or state roads, FLHSMV says that all drivers must do the following if they approach a WRONG WAY sign to help prevent a crash:

• Stop immediately.
• Pull over to the side of the road.
• Turn around when it is safe to do so.

If a driver encounters a wrong-way driver or sees an alert displayed on an electronic message board, they should take the following actions:

• Use caution.
• Reduce your speed.
• Pull over.
• Call *FHP (347) or dial 911 to report a wrong-way driver.

Signage and pavement markers are consistent along Florida’s roadways to signal drivers they are traveling in the wrong direction. Additional technology and education continue to be implemented and researched across Florida to further help prevent tragic incidents from occurring.
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To learn more about what to do if you find yourself driving in the wrong direction or if you encounter a wrong-way driver, please visit this webpage published by FHP’s partner agency the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and watch this video to learn more about all the engineering and education available to help deter wrong-way driving on Florida roadways so everyone can get home safely.
Article by Rachael Volpe