Memorial grows where three children, adult killed in fiery DeLand crash

DELAND, Fla. — Four people, including three children, were killed Tuesday in a three-vehicle crash in DeLand, police said.

Officials said a gold Ford Explorer heading southbound on Grand Avenue pulled out in front of a Jeep Wrangler that was heading east on New York Avenue.

Officials said the Jeep overturned and caught fire.

Barbara Burch, who was the driver of the third vehicle in the crash, said she heard screams and what sounded like toddlers or babies crying inside the car.

Troopers said a good Samaritan tried to pull the woman and children from the car, but the fire was too hot and grew too quickly.

Officials said one adult female and three children in the Jeep died at the scene.

Authorities said all three children were in car seats.

Residents and troopers said the intersection is a problem.

Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson said he plans to push for a traffic light at the intersection.

"We've had a lot of wrecks here and a lot of close wrecks. There's been several fatalities here. But it's unreal how many there have been. It needs a traffic light," Johnson said.

Nearby resident Kristine Perone said she drives the stretch of New York Avenue often.

“That could have been my daughter with my grandbaby, or it could have been me with my grandchildren,” she said. “What I hate is that it takes so many deaths in the state of Florida before they realize they need to put something here to make it safe.”

Perone left a memorial to the four crash victims in DeLand still unidentified by Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said they are working to notify the families of the woman and three children.

Cox Media Group