


One person was killed and several were injured in a three-vehicle accident near 23rd Street and U.S. 1 in Marathon Saturday night.
According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, Pierson A. Villalobos, 28, of Baypoint, was traveling north on U.S. 1 at a high rate of speed around 9:23 p.m. when his 1999 Ford swerved into oncoming traffic and struck a 2009 Toyota driven by Mercedes Diaz, 57, of Marathon and then hit a 2002 Chevy driven by Deborah L. Mangrum, 42, of Lusk, Wyo., who was traveling southbound behind the Toyota.
Mangrum was pronounced dead on the scene.
Reports say Villalobos' vehicle went airborne due to the high rate of speed and flipped end over end before coming to rest. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident, FHP reports indicate.
Five people were hurt in the crash including: Villalobos and his passenger, Yendel N. Garcia, 32, of Marathon; Diaz and her passenger, Jordi Torna, 10, of Marathon; and Mangrum's passenger, Christopher L. Jennings, 34, of Vacaville, Calif.
All five were transported to Fishermen's Hospital, and Villalobos later was airlifted from Fishermen's Hospital to Miami's Ryder Trauma Center, reports say.
No information on his condition was available Sunday night.
The accident closed the highway for about an hour and partially obstructed traffic for several hours, reports say.
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
AND I agree as well about the poor drivers. What happened in the past 20 years to drivers? I've never seen so many awful drivers. I notice they seem to be in the 16 - 40 year age range. Did they stop drivers ed? Are they learning from idiots? They don't know the rules of the road, don't use turn signals, don't obey ANY traffic laws, and are all about texting and talking on their phones instead of driving. We do need a "Shut up and drive" law in Florida!!!! Make it illegal!