PALM BAY, Fla.-- Investigators in Brevard County are scratching their heads trying to figure out why a driver would plow through an intersection at break-neck speeds, sending it airborne into a fire engine. The crash at the intersection Palm Bay Road and Hollywood Boulevard killed one person and sent four others to the hospital.
Eyewitnesses said Thursday's crash was, by far, the worst wreck they had seen at the intersection, and it's a pretty bad section of roadway when it comes to car wrecks.
The crash left a Ford Escort under a red tarp, unrecognizable. The body of the driver was so entwined in the metal and plastic, authorities had to take the car away to a garage to try and remove the victim.
Police said the woman was sitting in her car at the intersection of Palm Bay Road and Hollywood Boulevard, waiting for the light, when a silver Taurus came speeding down the street and slammed into it.
"It was all just a matter of seconds and it all happened just like that," said eyewitness James Kessler.
"It sounded like an explosion, like someone just lit off a bomb," said eyewitness Mike Gooch.
The collision sent the Escort into two other cars waiting at the light. At the same time, the Taurus went airborne, flying into the side of a Palm Bay fire department ladder truck returning from a training session. The firefighters inside ducked for cover.
"This Ford Taurus was airborne at a high rate of speed when it hit them. They are lucky that they didn't get injured," said Yvonne Martinez, Palm Bay Police Department.
The firefighters were still the first to get out and try to help the other victims. Others came running to offer assistance.
"We just said a prayer over there. It's a pretty bad accident. There's going to be some sad people today man," said eyewitness Rich Webber.
The Ford Escort was so mangled, at first authorities weren't sure if there was a second passenger. They found baby toys and a child seat, but no other victims inside.
One firefighter was slightly injured while putting a patient on a gurney. The victim who was killed was identified as 47-year-old Michelle Mallory.
Police said it could be weeks before they can determine how fast the Taurus was going when it hit the other cars and went airborne.
