Car Fire After Accident On The Venetian Causeway Sends Three To The Hospital
A vehicle that caught fire along the Venetian Causeway in Miami sent three people to the hospital on Friday.
WVSN, Channel 7 in Miami, reports that the incident happened when a Mercedes sedan was traveling along the Venetian Causeway when the driver lost control of the vehicle near the intersection of Northeast 12th Place.
According to Miami Police Commander Freddie Cruz, the car struck the median, hit some trees, and continued to go eastbound through the backyard of a home. The car then went over a pool and through a home before coming to a rest on a nearby street and bursting into flame.
The passengers inside the vehicle were trapped. Firefighters with the Miami-Dade Fire Department eventually extricated everyone from the vehicle.
Two passengers were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center for treatment. The extent of their injuries was not released at the time of the report.
The driver of the Mercedes suffered severe injuries, including head trauma and severe burns. They were also taken to Jackson Memorial Trauma Center and are listed in critical condition.
Vivien Nouel and her husband were home when the car came crashing from their home. Initially, Mr. Nouel thought a palm tree might have fallen on the house.
“He went to the window, our bedroom’s on the second floor,” Vivien Nouel explained. “And he said, ‘No, it’s a car accident. It’s on fire.”
That’s when Vivien grabbed her phone and called 911.
While area residents are shaken by the incident, Commander Cruz said it could have been much worse.
“This could have been tragic if this family in this home would have been in their backyard or in the pool, as this vehicle went at a high rate of speed through her backyard,” he said.
The accident is still currently under investigation. Police have not ruled out drugs or alcohol contributing to the crash.