WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A wrong-way driver caused a deadly three-vehicle crash that shut down northbound Interstate 95 near Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard early Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported at 5:29 a.m. Sunday on northbound I-95 at Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard in West Palm Beach, FHP said.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a deputy with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office observed a blue 2021 GMC Sierra pickup truck traveling southbound at 60 to 65 mph in the northbound lanes of I-95.
The deputy kept pace with the vehicle along the opposite side of the concrete median with his emergency lights activated in an attempt to warn the public and catch the driver’s attention.
The driver of the pickup—identified as 26-year-old Edwin Alexsandro Castro of West Palm Beach—collided head-on with a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan traveling northbound. The impact sent the Caravan across the roadway, where it was subsequently struck by a 2001 Cadillac Eldorado.
Victims & injuriesDodge Grand Caravan Driver: Identified as 68-year-old Angelo George Genova, he was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 5:39 a.m. Cadillac Eldorado Driver: Identified as 72-year-old Robert Harold Bradio, he suffered incapacitating injuries, including a lacerated aorta, and was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center. GMC Sierra Driver: Edwin Castro suffered injuries and was taken under guard to St. Mary’s Medical Center for treatment. Investigation
When troopers and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue arrived at the scene, officers noted that his pickup truck smelled strongly of alcohol. Castro—whose speech was slurred/mumbled and eyes were bloodshot—appeared confused and spoke only Spanish to responding deputies and troopers.
Following a search warrant executed by FHP, medical toxicology results revealed Castro had a blood alcohol content of .239 — nearly three times Florida’s legal limit.
See also: Federal judge rules warrantless license-plate reader search violated Fourth Amendment
The affidavit also noted that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a final order of removal for Castro following a denied asylum claim from Guatemala.
Castro is facing multiple felony counts including: DUI causing death, DUI causing serious bodily injury, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, DUI causing property damage, reckless driving causing damage, and a citation for traveling the wrong way on the interstate.
Castro is currently being treated at St. Mary’s Hospital for severe injuries and will be processed into Palm Beach County Jail following his treatment.