Police are looking for a driver who caused the deaths of three individuals after he crashed into multiple vehicles while driving the wrong way on State Road 44 this weekend.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the fatal accident took place on State Road 44 in Volusia County, just east of the road’s intersection with Interstate 4, on Sunday, December 11, at around 2:20 a.m.
Police say that a Toyota Tacoma was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane of SR 44 when it struck an Infinity Q50 that was traveling eastbound on the inside lane.
The collision caused the Tacoma to rotate clockwise and the Infinity to travel into the center median. The Tacoma came to rest in the eastbound lanes facing east, while the Infinity came to rest in the center median, facing north.
Shortly thereafter, a Toyota Prius crashed into the Tacoma.
After the second collision, a Lexus ES being driven by a 60-year-old woman from New Smyrna Beach, nearly avoided colliding with both vehicles, but drove through the debris of the scene.
Two female passengers in the Tacoma, who have not been identified by police, were seriously injured as a result of the crash.
The passengers in the Infinity, two females from Indiana and a Florida man, were all killed as a result of the accident. The driver of the Infinity, a 22-year-old man from New Smyrna Beach, was seriously injured.
After the crash, the driver of the Tacoma fled the scene on foot. Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deployed a K9 unit to find the driver, but was unsuccessful in their attempt to locate him.
Police say they have been unable to interview the passengers of the Tacoma because of the injuries they sustained.
The investigation is ongoing and police are asking the public to share any details or information by contacting the Florida Highway Patrol at 407-737-2200.