UPDATE: Florida Highway Patrol has identified the woman who was killed as 37-year-old Mary Pitsky of DeLand. She was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the vehicle, 42-year-old Michael Pitsky, who was wearing a seatbelt, has minor injuries according to FHP.
The FHP report states that the driver was traveling westbound on I-4 when the GMC SUV he was driving entered the center median. He overcorrected and the vehicle rolled over, ejecting Mary Pitsky. The Medical Examiner pronounced her dead at the scene.
This crash is till under investigation as FHP tries to determine the cause of the accident. Charges are pending against the driver.
Daytona Beach, FL - A fatal accident shuts down a major interstate in Daytona Beach, leaving some motorists stranded for hours.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, troopers were dispatched to the accident sometime around 6:30 this morning (June 18th).
#TRAFFICALERT: A crash that's blocking two lanes of westbound I-4 at mile marker 126 is causing delays west of the US-92 on-ramp. Expect minor to moderate delays. Beville to Saxon now approx. 23-25 minutes. pic.twitter.com/zflt4Ray9Y
— News Daytona Beach (@NewsDaytonaBch) June 18, 2019
Originally, only the left two lanes were blocked by the crash, causing moderate delays for westbound drivers on I-4.
But, as the morning went on, Florida Highway Patrol ended up shutting down westbound I-4 completely at mile marker 126, three miles west of the US-92 on-ramp.
#TRAFFICALERT: A crash that originally had the two right lanes blocked on westbound I-4 now has I-4 completely shut down at mile marker 126. Seek alternate routes. Take US-92 from LPGA west to Kepler Road, rejoin I-4 past the crash in DeLand. pic.twitter.com/wIYAvUrjYy
— News Daytona Beach (@NewsDaytonaBch) June 18, 2019
Eventually, traffic began to build causing major backups as drivers were told to avoid westbound I-4 in Daytona Beach at all costs.
The ramps from I-95 to westbound I-4 and the US-92 ramp were also shutdown as a precaution to prevent drivers from joining the highway.
As the shutdown entered its second hour, drivers could be seen on the traffic cameras turning around to head east down the westbound side.
Right now I-4 is still shutdown at mile marker 126. Alternate routes are suggested.
Drivers who need to get to westbound I-4 can take US-92 west to Kepler Road in DeLand, turn left off of Kepler to State Road 44 and rejoin I-4 off of 44.
South Volusia drivers can take SR 44 west to westbound I-4.
FHP has not indicated if they plan to reopen I-4 at any time soon. This story is still developing. Check back later for new details.
You can also follow News Daytona Beach on Twitter and Facebook for updates regarding the shutdown. Updates will also be posted on the WNDB app, available for free to Apple and Android devices.
