MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH KILLS ONE AND INJURES FIVE OTHERS

Broward Sheriff's Office: Public Information Office
PIO Number:
21-4-8
BSO Case Number:
07-2104-000602
Date:
April 6, 2021
Time:
9:17 p.m.
Jurisdiction:
Tamarac
Place of Occurrence:
2700 block of West Commercial Boulevard, Tamarac
Driver 1:
Nicholas Maxwell Atkinson, 22, 12/24/98, male, 5601 NW 48th Lane, Tamarac (DECEASED) 
Driver 2:
Kevin Obando, 27, male, Plantation 
Driver 3:
Calvin Leon Bentley, 23, male, Fort Lauderdale 
Description of Incident:
A multi-vehicle crash killed one person and injured a driver and four passengers in Tamarac Tuesday night.  

Shortly after 9 p.m., April 6, Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a crash involving three vehicles at the 2700 block of West Commercial Boulevard in Tamarac. 

According to traffic homicide detectives, physical evidence revealed that Nicholas Atkinson was traveling in a white 2009 Ford Crown Victoria westbound in the center thru lane on West Commercial Boulevard at a high rate of speed. At some point, Atkinson lost control of the Ford, which rotated and crossed over the inside lane and onto a raised center median where it struck a tree. 

The impact of the crash caused the Ford to split in two. 

The rear half of the vehicle wrapped around the tree and came to a final rest, while the front half, with Atkinson still entrapped, continued across the median on its roof and into the eastbound lanes of West Commercial Boulevard. At the same time, Kevin Obando, in a black 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, and Calvin Bentley, in a silver 2002 Buick, were traveling eastbound on West Commercial Boulevard. 

As parts of the vehicle slid, a piece of debris from the Ford struck the driver side window of Obando’s Chevy and shattered the glass. The front half of the Ford continued to slide across the roadway and crashed into the front of Bentley’s Buick. The collision redirected the spilt portion of the Ford in a southwesterly direction where it came to a final stop. 

Tamarac Fire Rescue responded, and Atkinson was pronounced deceased on scene. Bentley, along with four other passengers, were transported by paramedics to Holy Cross Hospital to be treated for minor injuries. They were all later released. 

Traffic homicide detectives say speed is considered a contributing factor in this crash. 

The investigation continues.  

INVESTIGATORS:
Dets. S. Slagle-Grant & C. Dejesus, THI
Sgt. R. Hager, THI

THIS REPORT BY:
Gerdy St. Louis/PIO
4/7/21 1500

Tamarac; TFR