A 21-year-old Winter Haven woman died and four other people were injured in a Sunday morning crash on Florida’s Turnpike that closed northbound lanes in Osceola County.
The crash took place around 4:55 a.m. near mile marker 202, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said a Hyundai Elantra was driving behind a Nissan Pathfinder, both heading north in the inside lane, when the Elantra, that according to FHP, was driving above the posted speed limit, failed to observe the Pathfinder ahead.
The front of the Elantra crashed into the back of the Pathfinder causing the Elantra to rotate right and into the outside northbound lane.
The Elantra then left the Turnpike driving into the inside grass shoulder before it flipping over to its right side then crashing into the left median guardrail, according to Troopers.
A passenger of the Elantra, a 21-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other passengers and the 21-year-old man from Haines City who was driving the car were hospitalized for treatment of serious injuries, according to FHP.
The 37-year-old Georgia man driving the Nissan Pathfinder and his four other passengers were not hospitalized and remained at the scene.
