Orange County, Fla. – A tragic traffic accident on Interstate 4 claimed the life of a Lakeland mother and left a 9‑year‑old girl with non‑life‑threatening injuries Sunday morning. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said the 2017 Honda Accord, traveling eastbound near the Daryl Carter Parkway exit, appears to have been driven into the median after the driver suffered a possible medical episode.

Sequence of events

At approximately 7:45 a.m., the vehicle entered the grassy median that separates the exit ramp from the main travel lanes of I‑4. The car then crossed the Daryl Carter Parkway intersection, struck a curb and collided with a concrete traffic barrier at the entrance ramp to eastbound I‑4. The impact caused the vehicle to burst into flames.

Victims and response

The driver, identified as a 44‑year‑old woman from Lakeland, was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The child, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital. Troopers described the girl’s injuries as serious but not life‑threatening.

Possible prior collision

Investigators also uncovered that the Honda may have been involved in an earlier crash with a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan near mile marker 69. No injuries were reported in that incident, and both crashes remain under investigation by the FHP.

Safety reminders

Authorities continue to urge drivers to seek medical attention for any sudden health issues while behind the wheel and to always wear seat belts. The FHP reminded motorists that seat belts dramatically increase the chance of surviving a crash and can reduce the severity of injuries.

Ongoing investigation

The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the medical episode and to verify whether the earlier collision contributed to the later, more severe crash. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.