LAKE PLACID, Fla. (WFLA) — A two-vehicle crash in Highlands County left nine people seriously hurt on Halloween evening, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Around 6 p.m., a pickup truck carrying four teenagers was traveling northbound on Catfish Creek Road in Lake Placid, approaching the intersection of Catfish Lane.
At the same time, a sedan was heading south on Catfish Creek Road, carrying one adult and five children, ranging in age from 7 years old to 15.
FHP said the driver of the pickup made a left turn onto Catfish Lane, as the sedan was traveling through the intersection. The front side of the truck collided with the front of the sedan.
Following the crash, the pickup became engulfed in flames, while several passengers in the sedan were ejected from the vehicle.
According to the release, the 16-year-old driver of the pickup, along with his 19-year-old and 16-year-old passengers were seriously injured. Another passenger, an 18-year-old suffered minor injuries. It is unknown if any of the teens were wearing a seatbelt during the crash.
In the sedan, the 49-year-old driver was seriously hurt, along with their passengers— ages 7, 11, 14, and 15. Another 7-year-old in the vehicle was critically injured. FHP said no one traveling the sedan was wearing seatbelts.
The crash remains under investigation.