ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 5-year-old girl and a 25-year-old woman were killed in a crash on Florida's Turnpike at the Osceola-Orange County line.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the accident was especially difficult because children were involved. A trooper said he saw the car from a distance and some children were trapped inside.
"When we go out to a scene and there (are) children's toys on the ground, there (are) backpacks (and) there (are) blankets. Minutes ago, a child was holding onto that," Steven Montiero of the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The accident, which happened in the northbound lanes between Osceola Parkway and State Road 417, involved a tractor-trailer that was hauling cars and a van with six people inside.%
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A 5-year-old girl, identified as Esibel Varona, of Miami, was killed, along with Rebekah Pollard, 25.
Troopers said a Chevy SUV driven by Nicole Varona, 26, of Miami, was heading northbound on the Turnpike while the driver of the car-hauler was behind her.
The tread on the tire of the Chevy separated and Varona lost control, an FHP report said.
The Chevy slammed into a guardrail, causing Esibel and Pollard to be ejected from the vehicle.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was unable to stop in time and ran over the victims.
Varona, a 12-year-old girl, identified as Emilia Varona, and Leonel Cobo, 26, suffered serious injuries.
Kaley Pollard, 3, was not injured.
Kaley was the only person in the SUV who was restrained.
All lanes were closed after the accident, but have since reopened.
Troopers said the driver of the car hauler, Yamir Oretega, 43, did not suffer any serious injuries.
Cox Media Group
