ORLANDO, Fla. — Two people were injured in an early morning wrong-way crash on the Interstate 4 express lanes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
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Troopers said a Buick LaCrosse was traveling eastbound in the westbound express lanes around 3:20 a.m. Monday.
A Ford pickup truck was traveling westbound in the express lanes and the two vehicles collided.
READ: I-4 express lanes: What you need to know
Both drivers, a 28-year-old man and a 30-year-old man, were taken to a hospital.
Troopers said they are investigating when or why the Buick LaCrosse driver traveled in the wrong direction. The crash shutdown the toll lanes for about two hours.
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This is the first accident reported along the new I-4 Express Lanes since they opened Feb. 26.
🚨Wrong-Way Crash on I-4 Express Lanes WB near Fairbanks Ave overnight🚨
— Alexa Lorenzo (@ALorenzoTV) March 7, 2022
Both drivers taken to the hospital. The wrong-way driver is in critical condition.
.@FHPOrlando investigating how and when the driver started driving against traffic. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/v5CvgBPJXE
Late last year, the Florida Department of Transportation installed new technology to help curb an increase in wrong-way drivers.
The wrong way driving vehicle detection system detects the driver going the wrong way. When the system is triggered, lights will flash, they’ll see the signs and hopefully alert the driver to his or her error.
If that driver continues, a camera will take pictures and send them to the FDOT communications center.
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“It’s also being sent out to law enforcement via text messages where we can instantly send LEOs to try and stop that vehicle if they don’t get righted,” Lt. Kim Montes said.
The wrong way driving vehicle detection systems are activated at a number of I-4 interchanges like Central Florida Parkway, Sand Lake Road, and Lake Mary Boulevard but the technology is not yet a reality on the new I-4 Express lanes.
READ: Wrong-way driver causes I-95 crash, troopers say
Drivers will find “wrong way” signs along the ramps, but they are not as advanced as the wrong way system. FDOT’s public information director says the department plans to add wrong-way driving technology in the I-4 ultimate corridor.
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