A rollover crash in the Upper Keys claimed the life of a teenager the evening of May 5.
According to a report by the Florida Highway Patrol, an SUV with three teenagers was traveling north on U.S. 1 at MM 91 around 7:30 p.m. The driver, an 18-year-old male from Islamorada, entered the left turn lane to the median to enter the parking lot of the Tavernier Towne Shopping plaza when the vehicle’s tire hit a median curb. The vehicle rolled onto the passenger side, sliding across the southbound lanes of U.S. 1.
The SUV came to rest on its passenger side facing south in the entrance of the parking lot near the southbound shoulder of U.S. 1. FHP said the rollover took the life of the passenger, a 15-year-old male from Tavernier. Another passenger, a 19-year-old male from Key Largo, suffered minor injuries. The driver of the SUV was also treated for minor injuries.
The outside lane of U.S. 1 was closed for roughly three hours for an investigation into the collision. FHP said the 15-year-old was not wearing a seatbelt. FHP does not release the names of those involved in crashes in their reports.
Islamorada Mayor Sharon Mahoney kicked off a May 6 village council meeting by offering a moment of silence for the teenager, Merrick Dunn. At the scene of the crash, bouquets of flowers were laid by those who knew the Coral Shores student.
