Tire Blowout on Interstate 95 Kills 4 Young Sisters

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on June 10, 2016

On Monday, May 30th, 34-year-old Latorya Brown was driving her 2006 Dodge Durango down Interstate 95 when one of her tires blew out near Titusville, in Brevard County. Inside the Durango were 11 passengers. According to Florida State Troopers, the group was on their way home from the beach after celebrating both Memorial Day and the 34th birthday of Brown.

The blowout, which occurred around 6:40 p.m., close to Garden Street, caused the Durango to cross over from the northbound lane to the southbound shoulder, where it began flip over repeatedly, and then crash into a barrier wall along I-95. During this time four people out of the 11 were thrown out of the car. Emergency vehicles rushed to the scene and began to search among the wreckage for the injured. In total, 8 passengers were taken to hospitals located in the area. Three passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.

Four of the passengers were sisters. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that their names are Jasmine Cruz, Nadia Cruz, Niashia Cruz, and Amunya Cruz. Three of the sisters were killed during the crash. The fourth sister died in the hospital afterward.

Other passengers who suffered injuries include a toddler who was not immediately found because he had been hurled from the car and over a 30-foot high perimeter wall. He was ultimately discovered when emergency responders heard his cries and located him.

After the accident, the Southbound remained closed only a short period of time. The northbound lanes, however, remained completely shut down until 9 p.m., and even then the entire highway was not opened up until 10:20 p.m.

Currently, the causes of the crash are still under investigation, as are the reasons why so many people were stuffed into a vehicle that is only supposed to seat around seven individuals. It is clear that numerous people were not wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, including the four sisters. Latorya Brown, the driver, was wearing her seatbelt and only suffered minor injuries.

No charges have yet been filed in this case, but the Florida Highway Patrol will release further information as it becomes available.

To set up a free initial consultation, contact Orlando auto accident lawyer James O. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).

Sources:

• FHP: 4 Sisters Killed in Brevard County I-95 Crash
• Four Sisters Killed in Brevard I-95 Memorial Day Crash

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.