PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - Two children were injured in a serious crash on SR 54 and Lakepointe Parkway Thursday afternoon in Odessa, first responders said.
According to an accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol, a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old were both rushed to the hospital after the multi-vehicle crash. No adults were transported, according to troopers.
However, Pasco County Fire Rescue had said that four patients were hospitalized with injuries, including two adults. They said one of the children was flown from the crash scene, and both suffered life-threatening injuries.
The crash involved four vehicles, including a Ford E350 box truck, a Volkswagen Jetta, a Jeep Wrangler and a Hyundai Tuscon, according to FHP. The Tuscon, Wrangler and Jetta were all stopped for traffic.
However, troopers said the box truck driver was distracted and did not notice the stopped traffic. The driver swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid hitting the Jetta, but their evasive maneuver didn't work.
FHP confirmed the box truck hit the back of the Jetta, pushing the car forward while it was being turned counterclockwise.
The back passenger side corner of the Jetta then hit the back driver's side corner of the Jeep Wrangler, troopers said.
Meanwhile, traffic investigators said the box truck east on SR 54, with the truck's driver's side front corner then hitting the passenger side of the Wrangler.
Investigators said the box truck driver then steered back to the left with the driver's side front corner hitting the tail light of the Hyundai Tuscon.
The box truck driver was determined by troopers to be at fault for the crash, with investigators noting in the accident report that he operated in a "careless or negligent manner."
It is unclear if any charges will be filed.