Three people were killed Tuesday afternoon after a semi-truck driven by two young Indian-origin males made an alleged illegal U-turn on the northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike, shutting down traffic for several hours and sparking a homicide investigation, authorities said.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the semi-truck was travelling north in the right lane near mile marker 171 when it attempted a U-turn in an “official use only” turn-around area, crossing into the path of a Chrysler Town & Country minivan in the left lane.
The minivan became wedged underneath the truck, and the driver could not avoid the collision. Tire marks at the scene indicate the semi’s manoeuvre occurred in the middle of the afternoon, witnesses and troopers said.
Two passengers in the minivan – a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach and a 54-year-old man from Miami – died at the scene.
The 30-year-old driver of the Chrysler from Florida City was airlifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The semi-truck driver and his passenger, both men in their 20s from California, were unharmed.
Carlos Portela, a licensed truck driver with 25 years of experience, told WPTV the semi driver was clearly at fault. He added that the U-turn is illegal for anyone except emergency vehicles and emphasised the seriousness of the crash.
According to the FHP report, the driver and passenger in the semi-truck did not sustain injuries.
Troopers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the wreck. No charges have been filed, and authorities have not yet released the identities of the men in the semi-truck.
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