Interstate 95 was closed for nearly six hours last night as the Florida Highway Patrol investigated the scene of a deadly accident. The three-vehicle crash claimed the lives of an 18-year-old from Bunnell and his 17-year-old passenger from Palm Coast. The Ford pickup in which they were traveling was headed south on I-95 in Volusia County when the incident occurred. A 20-year-old passenger in the pickup was seriously injured and has been taken to Halifax Hospital.
The drivers of two other vehicles were critically injured in the collision. A 30-year-old New York man driving a Chevy Blazer was also transported to Halifax Hospital and a 22-year-old Ormond Beach resident in a third vehicle was also critically injured. All three vehicles were in the left lane when the accident occurred. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash and no evidence as of yet has been released regarding whether alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Teens are at a higher risk of fatality in car accidents than any other age group. Teen drivers are four times more susceptible to auto accidents than older drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Car crashes kill roughly 3,000 teenagers between 15 and 19 years old every year in the United States.
Fatal car accidents are a terrible tragedy. The vast majority of accidents are preventable. While it is unclear what caused this accident, the loss of life and life-changing injuries suffered by those involved are a horrific reminder of the dangers we face on the roads every day.
Source: Orlando Sentinel, “Two teens killed, three others injured in I-95 crash,” by Amy Pavuk, 27 July 2012
