Breaking News - Marathon Keynoter
Keynoter photo by SCOTT FUSARO
Car explodes, U.S. 1 is shut in the Middle Keys
Updated at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27
A grey Saturn exploded at U.S. 1 and Sombrero Beach Road about 9 a.m. today, injuring a 51-year-old woman inside and closing that intersection, at mile marker 50.
Authorities say the explosion was the result of a bomb.
The woman was identified as Marathon resident Evon Leach. She was airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Trauma Star helicopter.
She suffered numerous broken bones and well as multiple lacerations.
The blast tore a hole in the car's floorboards below the driver's seat and blew out the windows. There were reports that the vehicle also was pushed at least 15 feet forward due to the force of the explosion.
A second bomb was thought to be in the car, and a bomb squad from Miami-Dade County was sent to the scene. The FBI also was en route. However, further investigation revealed there was no second bomb.
Traffic was being rerouted around the scene of the explosion. Since the location is considered a crime scene, it will be at least several hours before U.S. 1 is fully reopened, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
This site will be updated as news becomes available.