Crash spills rare coins onto highway

DELAND, Fla., May 27 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said valuable coins were spilled onto an interstate when a rare coin dealer's vehicle lost a tire and rolled into the median.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Demetrio Cirillo, 47, of Boca Raton, was driving Thursday with his wife, Dawn Cirillo, 47, on northbound Interstate 95 in Volusia County when the sport-utility vehicle, which was carrying about $1 million worth of rare coins and currency, had a tire separation, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Friday.

The couple both suffered minor injuries and Dawn Cirillo was taken to a hospital while Demetrio Cirillo initially refused treatment until the spilled coins could be recovered.

Cirillo called friends to search the area with metal detectors and law enforcement personnel assisted with the recovery. He said he had been taking the coins to a currency show in Jacksonville.

Police said most of the rare coins were recovered.