'Major' two-car accident shuts down Gulf of Mexico Drive both ways

Responders anticipate the investigation will require the complete shutdown of the area for an extended period of time.

By Dana Kampa
| 7:41 p.m. July 14, 2026

The Town of Longboat Key announced the road closure of Gulf of Mexico Drive for an extended time period due to a major car accident.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

9 p.m., Tuesday, July 14

In a 9 p.m. press release, the Town of Longboat Key confirmed Gulf of Mexico Drive remains closed to through traffic in both directions near the 6600 block. Officials anticipate it will remain closed until approximately 11 p.m. as the investigation continues.

8 p.m., Tuesday, July 14

The Town of Longboat Key announced in a 7:30 p.m. release that police are investigating a "major" two-vehicle accident on Gulf of Mexico Drive and anticipate the road will remain closed for an extended time period during the investigation.

The road is an arterial road for the island, which can only access the mainland via bridges on the north and south ends.

As of 7:45 p.m., Google Maps showed a road closure near Longboat Bay Charters with an anticipated closure until 10:30 p.m. The town says a traffic homicide investigator is on the scene in the 6600 block, just south of Reclinata Drive.

The town urges motorists to avoid the area and seek alternative routes where possible. Officials plan to offer updates on reopening the road as they are available.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.