POLICE: 67-Year-Old Woman Killed in Head-On Traffic Crash On U.S. 1and Nelson Avenue in Melbourne

By  //  March 26, 2023

Police: Patsy Ward, 67, of Vero Beach succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash

Melbourne police officers responded Saturday to a fatal head-on traffic crash at North Harbor City Boulevard (U.S. Hwy. 1)  and Nelson Avenue. According to Melbourne Police Cmdr. Mark Renkens, the crash involving a 2017 white Nissan Titan pickup truck and a blue 2021 Toyota Rav4 SUV. Cmdr. Renkens said officers discovered the Rav4 driver, identified as Patsy Ward, 67, of Vero Beach, had sustained life-threatening injuries due to the crash.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Melbourne police officers responded Saturday to a fatal head-on traffic crash at North Harbor City Boulevard (U.S. Hwy. 1) and Nelson Avenue.

According to Melbourne Police Cmdr. Mark Renkens, the crash involving a 2017 white Nissan Titan pickup truck and a blue 2021 Toyota Rav4 SUV.

Cmdr. Renkens said officers discovered the Rav4 driver, identified as Patsy Ward, 67, of Vero Beach, had sustained life-threatening injuries due to the crash.

“The Rav4 driver was transported to a local hospital by Brevard County Fire Rescue, where she ultimately succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash,” said Cmdr. Renkens.

According to Cmdr. Renkens, the initial investigation revealed the Nissan Titan, driven by 61-year-old Darrell Ramsey of Palm Bay, was traveling northbound on North Harbor City Boulevard at a high rate of speed in the outside travel lane and lost control while abruptly changing lanes, crossing into opposing travel lanes before striking the Toyota Rav4 head-on.

“Drugs and/or alcohol are believed to be a factor in this crash,” said Cmdr. Renkens. “The crash is still under investigation.”

The Traffic Enforcement Unit is investigating this crash as a Traffic Homicide Investigation. If you have any information regarding this investigation, please call Traffic Homicide Investigator Officer Whitright at 321-616-6116.

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