FHP: 2 children killed in Seminole County crash

Two children were killed and four other people were injured in a crash in Seminole County on Sunday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred at about 4:50 p.m. at Markham Road and Sandy Lane, troopers said.

Someone driving a 2015 Acura west on Markham Road crossed the double yellow line and crashed head on into a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by Deidre Gaetano, 52, of Sanford.

Four children were in the Toyota at the time of the crash. Gaetano​​​​ and her 14-year-old niece were seated in the front and were wearing seat belts. Investigators said they were both seriously injured, but they are both expected to survive.

Aziya Gandy and Zmiya Gandy, 9-year-old twin sisters, died at the scene, troopers said. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the crash report. Troopers said Gaetano was fostering the girls.

A 9-year-old boy, Gaetano​​​​'s nephew, remains in critical condition, troopers said. He was not wearing a seat belt, they said.

The driver of the Acura was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital with serious injuries, according to the crash report.

Florida law requires anyone under 18 to wear a seat belt, but Gaetano isn't expected to face charges.

"These are children. They should have been belted in that vehicle," FHP Lt. Kim Montes said. "We absolutely believe had they had their seat belts on -- the two twins (who) died. They could have survived this crash."

FHP said it does not believe the cause of the crash was criminal in nature, but they are looking into the possibility of distraction playing a factor.

Cox Media Group