Orange County – A tragic traffic accident claimed six lives on Friday night when a Chevrolet Traverse SUV collided with a Road Ranger truck on the Florida Turnpike near mile marker 252, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officials said.

The crash occurred at approximately 9:31 p.m. The SUV was traveling north in the inside lane when it struck the right rear of the Road Ranger truck, which had moved from the median toward the outside shoulder while responding to a prior incident involving a box truck.

Witnesses reported that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed and did not have its headlights on at the time of the collision. The impact caused both vehicles to leave the roadway and become engulfed in flames.

All five adult passengers in the SUV, along with the driver, were trapped inside the burning vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released by FHP.

The Road Ranger driver, a 28‑year‑old resident of Kissimmee, suffered only minor injuries and was not taken to a hospital.

FHP investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the speed of the SUV and the lack of headlights, as well as the Road Ranger’s maneuvering while assisting with the earlier incident.

Investigation ongoing

Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the collision. The Florida Highway Patrol urges motorists to use proper lighting, obey speed limits, and remain vigilant, especially when emergency vehicles are operating on the roadway.

Anyone with additional information about the crash is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at the number provided in the original report.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.