Sheriff urges drivers to slow down following ‘catastrophic’ crashes

The Martin County sheriff is urging drivers, especially young ones, to slow down following two separate deadly crashes that took the lives of three people over the weekend.

“As a parent, I have children in that same age category. This is a parent’s worst nightmare, and this is no way to start off a new year,” Sheriff John Budensiek said Sunday. “These are avoidable crashes. I know enough details to know that these crashes both could’ve been avoided.”

3 young lives lost in Martin County in first week of 2026

First Crash Claims 2 Lives

The first crash occurred on Friday night at the intersection of Bridge Road and Interstate 95 in Hobe Sound. According to witnesses, a car carrying three teenagers exited the ramp, ran a stop sign and was struck by another vehicle, spinning several times before landing in a ditch.

A 17-year-old student from Martin County High and a 16-year-old girl from Jupiter were pronounced dead at the scene…

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