DAVIE, Fla. – A driver was killed in a wrong-way crash Sunday night on Florida's Turnpike in Davie.
The driver was identified Monday as Tzvi Ference, 26, of Miami Beach.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ference was driving northbound in the southbound lanes just south of Griffin Road when his 2009 Hyundai Accent struck a tractor-trailer about 11:40 p.m.
The car overturned and landed on its roof. Ference was pronounced dead at the scene.
The truck jackknifed and struck a guardrail, but the driver and passenger weren't hurt.
It was not immediately known why the car was traveling in the wrong direction, but Ference's Facebook page included posts about depression and attempting suicide.
"It's still too early to determine what the cause is," Sgt. Mark Wysocky told Local 10 News.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but Ference had recently posted about suicide attempts on his social media accounts and often wrote about depression.
Just last Friday, Ference wrote on Facebook that he had tried to commit suicide and was going to "quit life once and for all."
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To the friends I’ve lost, Depression sucks. To not have the strength to pick yourself up out of bed; to feel like...
Posted by Tzvi Ference on Monday, February 15, 2016
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Cry for help, no one cares Cry for help, no one is there Cry for help, everyone runs away Cry for help, silence all day
Posted by Tzvi Ference on Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Marc Philippe said he tried to counsel Ference, whom he said survived several suicide attempts. Philippe said temple security called Miami Beach police Saturday after Ference caused several disturbances there.
Philippe said congregation members had complained to him about Ference.
"Some people felt threatened," the rabbi said.
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No Jew should ever be banned from a synagogue like I was from Temple Emanu-El. A Jew should always feel welcome to pray.
Posted by Tzvi Ference on Friday, February 19, 2016
Ference said on Facebook that he was banned from the temple, but Philippe said he was not removed or permanently banned.
"It is a horrible tragedy," Philippe said.
A funeral will be held on Tuesday, according to Ference's family friends.
Miami-Dade County offers several crisis intervention hotlines for people who are in need of support. People are encouraged to call SAFENET, a suicide prevention hotline at 305-358-HELP and Switchboard of Miami at 305-358-4357.