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MELBOURNE, FL — An 81-year-old Port St. Lucie man was killed and his 75-year-old wife was critically injured early Tuesday morning after their SUV crashed into the rear of a stopped semi tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 in Melbourne, wedging the vehicle beneath the flatbed and forcing first responders to cut away the roof to extricate the passenger.
The crash occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. on April 28, 2026, on I-95 northbound at mile marker 191 (Wickham Road), according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Investigators say a 2017 Dodge Journey was traveling northbound in the inside lane approaching the Wickham Road exit when the driver failed to stop for traffic backed up ahead. A 2015 Mack semi tractor-trailer, driven by a 39-year-old Palm Bay man, was stopped in the northbound lane due to traffic congestion when the front of the Dodge struck the rear of the trailer.
The impact drove the SUV partially underneath the flatbed of the semi, shearing off much of the upper portion of the passenger compartment. Photos from the scene show the Dodge crushed and pinned beneath the rear of the trailer with extensive front-end and roof damage. Brevard County Fire Rescue personnel had to cut the roof from the vehicle to free the trapped passenger.
The driver of the Dodge Journey was pronounced deceased on scene. His 75-year-old wife, who was seated as a passenger, was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. Both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, according to the report.
The driver of the semi was not injured and remained on scene to cooperate with investigators.
All northbound lanes of I-95 were shut down at mile marker 191 for several hours while troopers documented the scene and crews worked to remove the wreckage. Traffic was diverted off the interstate at Wickham Road, causing significant backups across Melbourne and Palm Bay during the morning commute.
The situation worsened mid-morning when a second crash occurred on I-95 northbound near mile marker 188, just south of the original fatal crash scene near the Viera area. Traffic cameras captured heavy congestion in the area as motorists were caught in the compounding delays. Drivers heading north through Brevard County were urged to expect significant delays and to consider alternate routes such as U.S. 1 or Babcock Street.
The fatal crash is being investigated by Trooper Boehm of the Florida Highway Patrol, with Corporal Sousa assigned as the homicide investigator. The names of those involved have not yet been released pending full notification of family members.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Space Coast Rocket will provide updates as additional information becomes available.
