LAKE PLACID, FL. -- The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a two vehicle head on crash on State Road 70 and County Road 721 in Lake Placid. The crash site is about 13 miles east of US27 at the bend in the road.
The crash occurred at approximately 12:24 pm on today’s date, resulting in four confirmed fatalities. State Road 70 is currently closed in the vicinity of the crash, it is anticipated the road closure will be for several hours.
UPDATE 4:30 p.m: Troopers continue to investigate the multiple fatality two vehicle crash on State Road 70 in Highlands County. Additional details will be provided later this evening.
UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: A Buick male driver with a female passenger was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane overtaking other westbound traffic on State Road 70 west of County Road 721 approaching a left curve.
UPDATE December 28: The passenger in the 2011 Buick Lacrosse was Maggie Lara, 46 of Okeechobee. Both occupants of the Buick were wearing seat belts. The driver's identity is still being confirmed according to the FHP.
Judy Mounts, 56 of Port St. Lucie in a 2006 Toyota XA with passenger Destiny Franz, 16 of North Fort Myers was traveling eastbound on State Road 70 east of State Road 721 approaching a right curve (same curve as the Buick). As a result, the front of the Buick collided with the front of the Toyota in the eastbound lane.
The Buick overturned into the ditch on the south side of roadway facing a southwesterly direction and became engulfed in flames. The Toyota was redirected in a southwesterly direction, and came to final rest facing a northwesterly direction.
The driver and passenger in the Toyota were both killed and the FHP says they were not wearing seat belts. It is unknown if the driver and passenger in the Buick were wearing seat belts. The FHP says it is unknown at this time whether alcohol was a factor in any of the four persons in the crash.
Positive identification of Driver and Passenger of the Buick remain under investigation. If anyone has any information regarding the occupants of it or the crash please contact the Florida Highway Patrol at 239-938-1800.
UPDATE 4:30 p.m: Troopers continue to investigate the multiple fatality two vehicle crash on State Road 70 in Highlands County. Additional details will be provided later this evening.
UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: A Buick male driver with a female passenger was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane overtaking other westbound traffic on State Road 70 west of County Road 721 approaching a left curve.
UPDATE December 28: The passenger in the 2011 Buick Lacrosse was Maggie Lara, 46 of Okeechobee. Both occupants of the Buick were wearing seat belts. The driver's identity is still being confirmed according to the FHP.
Judy Mounts, 56 of Port St. Lucie in a 2006 Toyota XA with passenger Destiny Franz, 16 of North Fort Myers was traveling eastbound on State Road 70 east of State Road 721 approaching a right curve (same curve as the Buick). As a result, the front of the Buick collided with the front of the Toyota in the eastbound lane.
The Buick overturned into the ditch on the south side of roadway facing a southwesterly direction and became engulfed in flames. The Toyota was redirected in a southwesterly direction, and came to final rest facing a northwesterly direction.
The driver and passenger in the Toyota were both killed and the FHP says they were not wearing seat belts. It is unknown if the driver and passenger in the Buick were wearing seat belts. The FHP says it is unknown at this time whether alcohol was a factor in any of the four persons in the crash.
Positive identification of Driver and Passenger of the Buick remain under investigation. If anyone has any information regarding the occupants of it or the crash please contact the Florida Highway Patrol at 239-938-1800.
Crash scene photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol.
is it down by 9 mile grade? does anyone know?
ReplyDeleteEast of US 27 about 13 miles after the curve near Lykes Bros.
Delete