One Dead In Three Vehicle Crash

78-Year Old Passenger Dead After Multi-Vehicle Crash

LAKE PLACID, Fl. -- A three-vehicle crash left a passenger dead this morning at about 9:25 a.m. at US 27 and Tamoka Blvd South.

A 2004 Ford Freestar minivan was traveling northbound on US 27 (SR 25) attempting to cross US 27 northbound to turn left onto Tomoka Blvd S. as a 2003 GMC Hummer was traveling southbound on US 27 (SR 25) in the outside lane approaching the intersection of Tomoka Blvd S.

A 2003 Cadillac Escalade SUV was stopped on Tomoka Blvd S facing east in the right turn lane.

The driver of the minivan Horace Edward Ryan, age 82 of Lake Placid failed to see the Hummer approaching as he began to cross US 27 northbound. The front of the Hummer collided with the right side of the minivan which partially rotated in a counter clockwise rotation and traveled in a south westerly direction striking the front of the Cadillac.

Ryan, taken to Lee Memorial Hospital was critically injured and his passenger Floretta Ellen Ryan, 78, of Lake Placid  died.

The minivan came to final rest in a ditch on the west side of US 27 facing in south westerly direction. The Hummer partially rotated in a clockwise rotation and came to final rest facing in a northerly direction in the turn lane of Tomoka Blvd S.

The Cadillac backed up about three feet from the location of the accident to report the traffic crash said FHP Trooper Jesse DeBoom and homicide investigator Cpl Kim Benavidez. No charges have been filed.

Driver of the Hummer James C Anderson, 47 of Orlando / Florida had minor injuries treated on the scene and his passenger Melanie J Anderson, 47 of Orlando was taken to Florida Hospital in Lake Placid with serious injuries. 2nd passenger Griffeth R Anderson, 17 had minor injuries.

Driver of the Cadillac Cherie Lynn Starr, 47 of Lake Placid had no injuries.