Crash near Orlando kills 4 members of Massachusetts family
Four members of an extended Massachusetts family on vacation were killed and four others were hospitalized with injuries following a car crash in Florida.
The Smith and Fay families, who are related, were traveling together in a van on State Road 429 near Kissimmee, about 20 miles south of Orlando, on Tuesday night when a pickup rear-ended their vehicle, causing it to roll, Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Montes said.
The pickup then hit another vehicle. A fourth vehicle was also involved, Montes said.
Julie Smith, 41, and her 5-year-old daughter, Scarlett Smith, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to a press release. Julie Smith's mother, Josephine Fay, 76, also died at the scene. Jackson Smith, 11, died later at a hospital.
Shane Smith, 43, who was driving the van, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Two other children were also hospitalized: Skylar Smith, 5, and Shalie Smith, 10.
William Fay, 76, who was also in the van, was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Authorities said in a statement that traffic had slowed because of congestion and that they believe the driver of the pickup truck, Lucas Dos Reis Laurindo, 26, failed to slow down.
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Dos Reis Laurindo and the drivers of the two other vehicles were not injured. Montes said that authorities do not suspect impairment and that Dos Reis Laurindo is cooperating with the investigation. No charges have been filed.
The Smiths are from Whitman, Massachusetts, and the Fays are from Weymouth.
