Kritzia Lopez, 27, was driving a Honda Civic when she failed to negotiate the curve on the northbound entrance ramp. Her car collided with a Tropic Oil Co. truck, which then slammed into the Impala and a Ford van.
Authorities identify victims of fatal crash involving fuel truck
Crash shut down part of Florida's Turnpike for several hours
By Tim Swift - Local10.com Digital Editor
September 23, 2018
KENDALL, Fla. -
Authorities have released the names of the victims of a fatal multi-car crash involving a fuel truck along Florida's Turnpike late Friday.
Lt. Alejandro Camacho, a spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol, said Rene Hernandez, 68, and Natalia Landin, 67, was traveling in a Chevy Impala when they were killed near Southwest 88th Street. Their backseat passenger Mirta Estupinan, 67, was badly injured, Camacho said.
Camacho said speeding driver Kritzia Lopez, 27, was driving a Honda Civic when she failed to negotiate the curve on the northbound entrance ramp. Her car collided with a Tropic Oil Co. truck, which then slammed into the Impala and a Ford van.
Lopez was seriously hurt, as were the driver of the van, 32-year-old Roel Castro, and his 41-year-old passenger, Eduardo Castellanos. The driver of the fuel truck, 48-year-old Farian Abraham, and his passenger, 56-year-old Jesus Crespo, were also injured.
Two other people suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
A hazardous materials team was dispatched to the scene to contain the fuel leaking from the truck. The crash shut down a portion of the turnpike in both directions for several hours, causing traffic delays.
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SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) -
At least two people were killed and several others were injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving a Tropic Oil Company oil tanker truck on the Florida Turnpike in Kendall, causing all lanes to shut down.
Rescue crews responded to the scene involving a four-vehicle collision near the Southwest 88th Street exit, around 8:30 p.m., Friday.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, three of the four vehicles involved, including the tractor-trailer, were heading northbound. One of the vehicles attempted to merge when it caused a chain-reaction crash.
Officials said the impact was so severe that it sent all of the vehicles through the median. Three vehicles went through the guardrail and ended up on the southbound lanes.
Officials said at least two people have died and several others were transported to a nearby hospital as a result of the crash. At least one victim is listed in critical condition.
Crews were treating the collision as a hazmat situation after oil from the tanker truck began spilling onto the highway.
“Obviously, fuel being spilled on the highway is extremely dangerous, and just because of that we would have to shut down the road,” said FHP Lt. Alejandro Camacho. “Combining the two, obviously we need to take every precaution as possible.”
New: Police activity in Miami-Dade on Floridas Turnpike north at Exit 20 Kendall Dr, off-ramp closed, all lanes…https://t.co/bVsVmqbHmN
— Florida's Turnpike (@fl511_turnpike) September 22, 2018
All lanes were previously blocked as crews worked the scene. The on-ramp was also closed off.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area and seek an alternate route.
The turnpike has since reopened with all lanes having been cleared, Saturday morning.
Authorities are still working to determine what caused the collision.