The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle crash in Apopka that left three teenagers dead and injured three others on Sunday.According to FHP, a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling eastbound on Welch Road approaching Wekiwa Drive just after 1:30 a.m. when the driver lost control of the pickup while negotiating a curve. The Silverado ran off the roadway, struck a tree and overturned.The pickup truck’s driver, a 17-year-old Apopka boy, and two passengers — also teen boys from Apopka — were transported to area hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.Three other Apopka teen boys were in the pickup truck when it crashed, and two were pronounced dead at the scene. The third was transported to AdventHealth Apopka, where he was pronounced dead.Tire marks and a damaged tree were visible at the crash site hours later as investigators documented the scene.Residents say the winding stretch of Welch Road has long been a concern.“That’s terrible news,” said nearby resident Paul Greenwald, who didn’t witness the crash but said drivers often speed through the curve. “People just go fast. They accelerate through here because it’s a cool curve when you’re going fast.”Greenwald said he takes extra caution leaving his neighborhood because cars “are coming so fast around the corner that you don’t have enough time.”He hopes local leaders consider installing traffic-calming measures, such as speed-display signs or speed humps, to encourage safer driving.Troopers are continuing to investigate what led up to the crash.
APOPKA, Fla. —
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle crash in Apopka that left three teenagers dead and injured three others on Sunday.
According to FHP, a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling eastbound on Welch Road approaching Wekiwa Drive just after 1:30 a.m. when the driver lost control of the pickup while negotiating a curve. The Silverado ran off the roadway, struck a tree and overturned.
The pickup truck’s driver, a 17-year-old Apopka boy, and two passengers — also teen boys from Apopka — were transported to area hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Three other Apopka teen boys were in the pickup truck when it crashed, and two were pronounced dead at the scene. The third was transported to AdventHealth Apopka, where he was pronounced dead.
Tire marks and a damaged tree were visible at the crash site hours later as investigators documented the scene.
Residents say the winding stretch of Welch Road has long been a concern.
“That’s terrible news,” said nearby resident Paul Greenwald, who didn’t witness the crash but said drivers often speed through the curve. “People just go fast. They accelerate through here because it’s a cool curve when you’re going fast.”
Greenwald said he takes extra caution leaving his neighborhood because cars “are coming so fast around the corner that you don’t have enough time.”
He hopes local leaders consider installing traffic-calming measures, such as speed-display signs or speed humps, to encourage safer driving.
Troopers are continuing to investigate what led up to the crash.