Two people, including a 13-year-old girl, are dead following a crash involving three cars on Interstate 75.
The incident occurred Thursday morning near mile marker 397, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release. The crash was two miles south of the High Springs exit, FHP spokesperson Patrick Riordan said.
The three cars were traveling south when one car in the center lane veered right, hitting two others. It’s unclear what caused the first car to merge, Riordan said.
The victim’s identities are protected by Marcy’s Law, which keeps information of a victim or their family from being disclosed, Riordan said.
One vehicle involved in the crash rolled over several times. A 13-year-old girl and an 83-year-old woman were inside the car, and both died, Riordan said. The driver of the car, a 55-year-old man, was left with minor injuries, and a fourth passenger, a 50-year-old woman, had serious injuries.
All four people were High Springs residents and wore seatbelts. The current condition of the injured occupants is unknown, Riordan said.
All southbound lanes of I-75 were closed for investigation from about 10:40 a.m. to about 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Riordan said. FHP will continue to investigate the accident, and Riordan said a three- to six-month investigation will look into factors such as speed, weather, road condition, braking, other actions and any other factors.
A routine investigation includes photos, interviews with witnesses and documented facts, Riordan said. At the end of the investigation, the team decides whether there will be any criminal charges.
“We’re also writing, to some degree, the last chapter of a person’s life,” Riordan said. “So we want to make sure that we’re very thorough and accurate as far as what we conclude in our traffic homicide investigation.”
Riordan suggested travelers buckle up, slow down, keep distance between other cars and drive well-rested.
Contact Meghan at mmglone@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @meggmcglone.
Meghan McGlone is a UF junior majoring in journalism and English, and this year she’s the City and County Commission reporter. In past years, she’s served as the University Editor, the Student Government reporter, and other positions. Her favorite past time is eating gummy worms and reading a good book.
