For the second time in less than two weeks, Florida Highway Patrol troopers say a serious crash was caused by a wrong-way driver on the Howard Frankland bridge.
John Milligan never saw the crash that shut down four lanes on the Howard Frankland bridge, but he did see the wrong-way driver who troopers say caused it.
“Is he really doing a U-turn in the middle of the Howard Frankland at almost 2 a.m.? It was surreal because it happened in the blink of an eye,” Milligan said.
He called 911, and later found out the wrong-way driver hit another car head-on.
“I was praying to God,” Milligan said. “I was hoping he didn't kill nobody.”
Troopers arrested Andy Cuff Jr. for DUI. The other driver is fighting for her life.
Now, the Florida Department of Transportation is adding new software to traffic cameras on the Howard Frankland. The cameras will be able to detect wrong-way drivers.
Arizona's DOT uses similar technology with thermal cameras. When triggered by a wrong-way driver, an alarm sounds at the state's DOT operations center. It brings up the camera and alerts police to the driver's location. Within seconds, freeway signboards are updated to read "Wrong Way Driver Ahead. Exit Freeway."
FDOT says it hopes to have the camera technology ready in the next few weeks. It also says it plans to add flashing "Wrong Way" signs.
“I think it'd be a lot safer for everybody, honestly,” said Milligan, who drives the bridge three times a day.
FDOT explains they’re doing everything they can. They also need the public to help, because most of these wrong-way driver crashes are DUI-related.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10 News app now.
Have a news tip? Email tips@wtsp.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
