A tragic crash on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County left a 68-year-old woman dead, another with serious injuries, and a 9-year-old girl critically injured on Friday evening, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The accident occurred around 5:53 p.m. in the northbound lanes near mile marker 226, just north of the Canoe Creek Service Plaza.
FHP’s crash report states that a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 19-year-old Orlando woman, was traveling in the inside lane when it veered onto the inside shoulder. The driver overcorrected, causing the SUV to collide with a 2018 Hyundai Accent in the outside lane. The impact sent the sedan off the roadway and into a tree on the right shoulder.
The Hyundai was carrying three occupants, all from Miami. The 40-year-old woman driving the sedan suffered serious injuries, while a 9-year-old girl seated in the rear sustained critical injuries. The front passenger, a 68-year-old woman, was transported to Osceola Regional Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The driver of the Chevrolet Equinox was not injured in the crash, according to troopers.
All occupants of the sedan were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. The crash remains under investigation by FHP.