FHP UPDATE: West Melbourne Man, 53, Killed When His Dodge Durango Crashed, Burned in Phantom Fireworks Building

By  //  November 29, 2022

SUV collided with Phantom Fireworks building, causing the fireworks to ignite and vehicle became engulfed in flames

WATCH: A 53-year-old West Melbourne man was killed Monday afternoon when his Dodge Durango crashed into the Phantom Fireworks location in Melbourne at 4433 W. New Haven Avenue, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Steve Wilson provides the live on-the-scene reporting.

WATCH: A 53-year-old West Melbourne man was killed Monday afternoon when his Dodge Durango crashed into the Phantom Fireworks location in Melbourne at 4433 W. New Haven Avenue, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Steve Wilson provides the live on-the-scene reporting.

BREVARD COUNTY • WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Highway Patrol Troopers are on-scene of a fatal crash that occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m. on S. John Rodes Boulevard and U.S. Highway 192 (West New Haven Avenue) in Melbourne.

According to FHP Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tara Crescenzi, the crash involved two vehicles, a 2017 Dodge Durango and 2006 Toyota Tacoma.

“Preliminary evidences shows the Durango struck the Toyota causing both vehicles to travel through the intersection and enter the parking lot of Phantom Fireworks, located at 4433 W New Haven Avenue,” said Lt. Crescenzi.

SEE IMAGES BELOW

According to Lt. Crescenzi, the Durango, driven by a 53-year-old West Melbourne man, continued traveling through the parking lot and collided with the Phantom Fireworks building, causing the fireworks inside to ignite and the Durango became engulfed in flames.

The driver was pronounced deceased on the scene, whose identity has not yet been released.

“Our Traffic Homicide Investigators are working on confirming the identification of the driver,” said Lt. Crescenzi.

The driver of the Toyota Tacoma, a 39-year-old female from West Melbourne, was not injured and remained on the scene after the crash.

Brevard County Fire Rescue Chief Patrick Voltaire said during a news conference that two Phantom Fireworks employees escaped injury when the building burst into flames.

Approximately 30 firefighters from Brevard County Fire Rescue, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Melbourne Fire Department and West Melbourne Police Department responded to the incident that caused fireworks to explode, adding to the peril for the firefighters who were working from ladder trucks.

Florida Highway Patrol Troopers and and the State Fire Marshal were on the scene to conduct an investigation into the details of the crash and subsequent fire.

“We currently only have preliminary information as our Traffic Homicide Investigators are on-scene investigating this fatal collision,” said Lt. Crescenzi.

At this time there is a roadblock for the eastbound lanes of U.S. Highway 192 and the crash remains under investigation.

Approximately 30 firefighters from Brevard County Fire Rescue, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Melbourne Fire Department and West Melbourne Police Department responded to the incident that caused fireworks to explode, adding to the peril for the firefighters who were working from ladder trucks. Florida Highway Patrol Troopers and and the State Fire Marshal were on the scene to conduct an investigation into the details of the crash and subsequent fire. (Steve Wilson image)
Approximately 30 firefighters from Brevard County Fire Rescue, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Melbourne Fire Department and West Melbourne Police Department responded to the incident that caused fireworks to explode, adding to the peril for the firefighters who were working from ladder trucks. Florida Highway Patrol Troopers and and the State Fire Marshal were on the scene to conduct an investigation into the details of the crash and subsequent fire. (Steve Wilson image)
Approximately 30 firefighters from Brevard County Fire Rescue, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Melbourne Fire Department and West Melbourne Police Department responded to the incident that caused fireworks to explode, adding to the peril for the firefighters who were working from ladder trucks. Florida Highway Patrol Troopers and and the State Fire Marshal were on the scene to conduct an investigation into the details of the crash and subsequent fire. (Steve Wilson image)
Approximately 30 firefighters from Brevard County Fire Rescue, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Melbourne Fire Department and West Melbourne Police Department responded to the incident that caused fireworks to explode, adding to the peril for the firefighters who were working from ladder trucks. Florida Highway Patrol Troopers and and the State Fire Marshal were on the scene to conduct an investigation into the details of the crash and subsequent fire. (Steve Wilson image)
Approximately 30 firefighters from Brevard County Fire Rescue, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Melbourne Fire Department and West Melbourne Police Department responded to the incident that caused fireworks to explode, adding to the peril for the firefighters who were working from ladder trucks. Florida Highway Patrol Troopers and and the State Fire Marshal were on the scene to conduct an investigation into the details of the crash and subsequent fire. (Steve Wilson image)
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