2 adults, toddler die in crash near Howey-in-the-Hills

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Two adults and a toddler died Sunday in a crash near Howey-in-the-Hills, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The two-vehicle crash happened just before 3:45 p.m. at County Road 455 and High Crest Court, FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said.

Troopers said James Walker, 22, of Sanford was driving a Jaguar northbound on CR 455 when he lost control of his car for an unknown reason and crossed into the southbound lanes, crashing into an Infiniti SUV that was stopped at the intersection.

Walker died at the scene.

The driver of the Infiniti, Debra Irwin, 56, of Montverde, also died at the scene, Montes said.

Fallon Painter, 3, of Clermont, who was riding in the SUV with Irwin, was flown to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in critical condition. But Montes said the girl died at 6:15 p.m.

CR 455 was closed from SR 419 to South Buckhill Road while troopers investigated the crash, but the road has since reopened.

No other details were released.

Cox Media Group