NEAR PORT PIERCE, FL – Three minivan occupants were killed in a collision caused by a big rig driver who attempted to make a U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike on Tuesday.
The collision happened around 1:30 p.m. near mile marker 170. According to an update from TCPalm, the driver of the blue 2024 International big rig, who was hauling a box trailer, was trying to make a U-turn into “an official use only area.” The truck driver took up all of the northbound lanes to pursue the U-turn when they collided with the black minivan.
The driver of the black 2015 Chrysler Town & Country minivan tried to avoid colliding with the truck, but was unable to do so. The minivan then became wedged underneath the truck.
St. Lucie County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and extricated the three minivan occupants, the driver and two passengers, from the car. The minivan passengers died from their injuries at the scene just before 3:15 p.m.. Medical helicopter personnel transported the driver to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, where he died from his injuries just before 5:15 p.m.
The minivan occupants were listed as a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, a 54-year-old man from Miami, and a 30-year-old man from Florida City.
The two big rig occupants were listed as two men between the ages of 25 and 25, both from California. Both were unharmed.
The Florida Highway Patrol said on Wednesday that they have yet to contact family members of the deceased individuals.
No charges were announced as of this writing.
A full investigation is underway.
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