Sunday, April 19, 2015

One Dead In U-Turn Crash - Driver In Serious Condition

CLEWISTON, FL. -- A tractor trailer was traveling west on County Road 846, west of Crows Nest Grove Road about 9:13 p.m. Saturday night when after making an improper U-turn in poor visibility and the driver and passenger leaving the vehicle resulted in a crash of an automobile leaving one dead and one injured .

UPDATE: The FHP has identified the not at fault seriously injured driver as Enrique Gamez Garcia, and his deceased passenger as Luis Armando Sangabriel, both of Moore Haven, Fl. Neither were wearing seat belts said the FHP.

Randolph O'Neal Lawrence age 50 of Clewiston, the tractor trailer driver, began to make a U-turn to continue traveling east on CR846 by steering the tractor portion of the  vehicle onto the south shoulder of CR 846. The tractor portion became stuck on the shoulder with the trailer positioned across the east and westbound lanes of CR 846.

Due to limited visibility, Lawrence and passenger Yolanda Benjamin, 39 of Belle Glade exited the vehicle and attempted to warn approaching motorists with a flashlight.

A 26-year old male from Moore Haven was traveling west on CR 846, west of Crows Nest Grove Road, approaching the truck but failed to react to the trailer in the roadway. The 2008 Nissan Altima traveled under the trailer portion causing the roof of the Nissan to shear off. After impact, the car came to final rest facing west in the westbound lane. The driver suffered serious injuries and his passenger, a 47 year old male from Moore Haven died.

A 2003 Lincoln Navigator was traveling east on CR 846, west of Crows Nest Grove Road, approaching the two vehicles. The driver, Barry Earnest Staats, 43 of West Palm Beach attempted to take evasive action by braking and steering toward the left, causing the front portion of his vehicle to strike the right rear side portion of the trailer. The Lincoln came to final rest at the area of collision. Staats suffered minor injuries.

Lawrence was charged with improper and unsafe U-turn. He and his passenger had no injuries.

Names of the injured driver and deceased passenger are being withheld pending notification of kin.

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