MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — 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."
WATCH BELOW: 3 young lives lost in Martin County in first week of 2026
First Crash Claims 2 Lives
The first crash
20-Year-Old Killed in Separate Crash Day Later
Less than 24 hours later, another deadly crash
The 20-year-old was taken to the hospital but died from his injuries Sunday morning. A 20-year-old woman who was also in the car escaped the flames with the help of a good Samaritan. Budensiek said she remains in the intensive care unit.
Following the two fatal crashes, Budensiek emphasized that the incidents were preventable and urged parents to have difficult conversations with their children about driving safely.
"As horrific as it is, (parents should) go over those crashes," said Budensiek. "And explain: just a moment of poor judgment, or a moment of not paying attention, can result in something catastrophic like this."
The sheriff also warned about the dangers of late-night driving.
"Late-night driving is always something I would discourage," Budensiek said. "People are more distracted, DUI crashes are higher, and I worry about our youth out driving late at night."
Budensiek says a GoPro camera was attached to the vehicle that may have recorded more details leading up to Saturday's crash. He said the Florida Highway Patrol is the lead investigator in both wrecks, which are ongoing.