Deadly wrong-way crash shuts down parts of I-95 in St. Lucie County

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A deadly, multi-vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer has shut down all lanes of southbound Interstate 95 near Fort Pierce early Monday morning.

The collision happened around on the southbound lanes of I-95 near Indrio Road at around 5 a.m., closing off the Exit 138 on-ramp, according to Florida 511.

The pile up happened after an 81-year-old man from Delray Beach was driving his Nissan Sentra on the wrong side of southbound I-95, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Investigators determined the wrong-way driver collided with a Honda Civic, sending it skidding to a stop in the center lane and his Nissan into a concrete barrier. A passing tractor trailer rammed head-on into the Honda as it laid in the middle of the Interstate, the agency's statement continued.

Both the Honda and semi-truck erupted into flames.

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The 81-year-old and the Honda driver both died from their injuries. Because the Honda driver's car was engulfed in flames, their identity is still unknown, according to FHP. The semi-truck driver, a 21-year-old man from Orlando, survived with "non-incapacitating injuries."

Drivers can expect traffic delays in the area as emergency vehicles are still present. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Department advises commuters to choose other routes.

Some alternatives include Florida's Turnpike or south on Orange Avenue.