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A couple were among three people who died in a three-vehicle car crash in Cape Coral, Fla., on Oct. 20According to local reports, Norma Jean Ralston and Gary Galiher were “holding hands” in their vehicle when they were found deadDriver Laura Beasley, 48, who was in a separate vehicle, also died at the scene
A Florida couple who were killed in a car crash were found “holding hands” after reaching for each other in their final moments.
At around 8:25 p.m. local time on Oct. 20, a truck driving south on Burnt Store Road in Cape Coral “drifted into the northbound lane” and hit a trailer truck traveling in the opposite direction with an SUV directly behind, the Cape Coral Police Department (CCPD) said in a statement.
A preliminary investigation determined that the truck “hit one of the northbound truck’s rear tires, badly damaging both vehicles.” According to the CCPD, “the northbound truck then lost control and spun.”
The southbound truck then hit the SUV, causing the vehicle to “roll over” away from the road, before coming to a stop “facing the opposite direction,” the CCPD continued. The southbound truck spun on impact before stopping in the middle of the roadway.
Scene of the crash.
Gulf Coast News/YouTube
The two occupants in the SUV died at the scene. They were identified as couple, Norma Jean Ralston and Gary Galiher, the CCPD confirmed to WBBH.
The driver of the southbound truck, Laura Beasley, 48, also died at the scene, while the driver of the northbound truck sustained minor injuries.
Bryan Greenwell said that he heard “a loud crash” and rushed over to try and help those involved in the crash, before coming across a heartbreaking sight at the scene.
“It looked like a husband and wife in the front seat [of the SUV] with the woman reaching over to him, who had his right hand holding her hand,” Greenwell told WBBH. The wrecked car had its windshield and roof “smashed” and “a little bit of the airbag deployed,” he recalled.
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Greenwell described the “chaotic” moment as “a symbol of peace in a way.”
“I think that if anyone was going to pass away, you would want to be with the person that you love the most,” he told WBBH.
The CCPD said that speed did not appear to be a factor in the fatal crash.
Police are asking any witnesses or anyone who has information about the crash to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223 with Case #25-019448.
PEOPLE has reached out to the CCPD for further comment.