FHP: 2 dead after wrong-way driver collides with cars on 408 Expressway

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a wrong-way driver crashed head-on into two other vehicles, killing himself and another driver on State Road 408.

It happened on the 408 eastbound, near Good Homes Road just before 4 a.m. Thursday.

A Jeep and a Corolla were traveling side by side on eastbound 408 when a third driver, going the wrong way, in a Hyundai came right at them.

The Corolla swerved into the Jeep's path to avoid the Hyundai and became violently sandwiched between the two.

The Hyundai then burst into flames. Its driver and the driver in the Corolla died, according to FHP.

"You know the speeds up here are 65 mph. We know sometimes higher. With both these cars colliding head-on, we do believe it was extreme. You can see the cars' the front ends are pushed in, so this was a very bad crash," said FHP Sgt. Kim Montes.

Robert Gendron's Jeep was also caught in the wreck, but he walked away. He told WFTV the driver coming toward him did not have his lights on.

All he remembers is being tossed around in a pile of cars that burst into flames.

Troopers say the driver was heading west on the 408, but in the eastbound lanes when he slammed into 66-year-old Charles Penrose's red Toyota head-on. He died at the scene.

FHP is still trying to figure out where the driver got turned around.

The driver was burned so badly, troopers are using dental records to identify him. Then they will try to find out if he was impaired or just confused.

Traffic was at a standstill while crews repaired the melted asphalt. It took six hours to get the expressway open by 10 a.m. But the investigation is far from over.

Penrose leaves behind two adult sons, a wife, daughter in law and two grandchildren.

WFTV was also told the Hyundai was registered to someone who was not driving the vehicle at the time.

Troopers expect it will take several days to identify that driver.

WFTV