ST. LUCIE COUNTY – A semi tractor-trailer attempting a U-turn in an “official use only” area of Florida’s Turnpike led to the fatal crash that killed three South Florida people Aug. 12, state highway officials said.
The Florida Highway Patrol released initial findings Aug. 13 of the two-vehicle crash near the turnpike’s 171-mile marker just south of the St. Lucie County north border.
The deceased people were not identified by name but were listed as a 30-year-old Florida City man, a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman and a 54-year-old Miami man.
All three were occupants of a black 2015 Chrysler Town & Country van, while two California men ages 25 and 28, listed as occupants of a blue 2024 International semi tractor trailer, were said to be uninjured.
Describing what happened in the crash, highway officials said just before 3 p.m. Monday the minivan and semi were traveling north on the turnpike.
The large truck, which was hauling a box trailer, was in the outside lane and attempted a U-turn into an “official use only” area along the turnpike, according to FHP.
As the semi tractor-trailer crossed “over all northbound travel lanes” to make the U-turn on the access road, the agency said the minivan, which was in the inside lane, was “unable to avoid” it and collided with and became wedged under the left side of the trailer.
Both passengers in the minivan were pronounced deceased at the site of the crash shortly before 3:15 p.m. The driver was flown to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce where he later died from his injuries just before 5:15 p.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
As of Wednesday afternoon, highway officials said in the report they had not yet contacted family members of some of those who died in the crash.
Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246.
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Semi attempting U-turn on Florida's Turnpike led to triple-fatal crash, FHP says
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