Christmas Eve Car Crash Kills Father and Son in Lake County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on December 27, 2021

It was supposed to be a fun-filled weekend full of family, friends, and holiday festivities, however, a tragic turn of events has the relatives of a father and son duo in mourning this Monday after the pair lost their lives during a deadly auto accident with an SUV along State Road 46 on Christmas Eve.

According to early collision reports from the Florida Highway Patrol troopers working within Lake County, it was approximately 1:25 p.m. on Friday, December 24, 2021, when 49-year-old Tommy Silvestris and his 27-year-old son Thomas Silvestris were traveling in the westbound direction of State Road 46 and were heading home from the Sanford area after some last-minute Christmas gift shopping. As their sedan continued its path along the highway, an SUV that was being driven by a 21-year-old man from Summerfield approached the vicinity from the opposite, eastbound lane. For reasons that are currently unknown, the sport utility vehicle crossed over the center divider lines and crashed head-on into the front left side of the passenger car.

The incredible force from the collision caused the sedan to erupt into flames upon impact. Local Lake County emergency services were notified within a matter of minutes after the accident occurred, and officers with the Florida Highway Patrol responded as well. EMTs immediately recognized that the father and son were suffering from severe life-threatening injuries. The 27-year-old was temporarily stabilized for transport and was taken to Orlando Health hospital but ultimately succumbed to the severity of his injuries. The 49-year-old father passed away at the scene of the crash before medical teams had a chance to save him.

The 21-year-old driver of the SUV was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

Traffic homicide detectives with the Florida Highway Patrol, in conjunction with additional law enforcement agencies, are still trying to determine the cause of this fatal car crash. Although no charges have been filed at this time, that is a fact that could certainly change pending the outcome of the case.

Since 1977, Lake County personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has been fighting for the rights of victims who have lost their lives due to the negligence of another motorist. For additional information, or to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please contact us today at 877-FL-INJURY to speak with a legal representative.

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.