MELBOURNE, Florida — The Florida Highway Patrol reported that a 46-year-old Melbourne man died as a result of injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident which occurred at 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday.
The man, identified as John Wheeler, was driving a 1998 Honda Prelude southbound on Wickham Road in Melbourne, Florida. Another vehicle, a 2011 KIA SUV driven by 73-year-old Luis Zellano of Albany, New York, was also traveling southbound on Wickham Road.
FHP troopers say that the Prelude sideswiped the Kia and then crossed the center of the raised median towards the northbound lanes. The Prelude then struck the front of a 2010 Buick driven by Cynthia Anelli of Melbourne who was traveling northbound on Wickham Road.
The impact caused the Buick to rotate in the northbound lanes into the path of a 2003 Toyota Camry driven by 43-year-old Jorge Viera of Melbourne.
Both Anelli and Viera suffered serious injuries. Anelli was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center and Viera was transported to Viera Hospital. Zellano did not suffer any injuries.
All three of the identified drivers were wearing their seat belts. FHP could not determine whether or not Wheeler was wearing his seat belt at the time.