GRANT-VALKARIA, Fla. – A Palm Bay man died after a single-vehicle SUV crash along U.S. 1 in Grant-Valkaria late Saturday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. as a Hyundai Tucson traveled northbound on U.S. 1 in the outside lane, south of Valkaria Road, troopers said.
According to an FHP crash report, the Hyundai veered left, struck the raised curbed median, and lost its left front tire. The vehicle continued northwest across the median as its driver — a 26-year-old Palm Bay woman — was unable to correct its path and reenter the northbound lanes, the report states.
The SUV entered the southbound inside lane before striking the raised grass median, a plastic pole, and the edge of the pavement, according to the report. It then began to overturn, causing the woman’s passenger — a 27-year-old Palm Bay man — to be ejected, the report states. Troopers said that the man was not wearing a seat belt during the crash and that the woman was.
Both occupants were taken to the hospital, where the man was pronounced dead, FHP said, adding the woman suffered minor injuries.
FHP is still investigating.
Note: This map depicts the general area of this crash and not necessarily an exact location.