In DeLand, Florida, a troubling accident occurred early Saturday morning when a pickup truck collided with a group of cyclists, resulting in four individuals being rushed to nearby hospitals. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the incident took place around 6:50 a.m. at the junction of Voorhis and Wade avenues.
According to the investigation, the vehicle involved was a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado. The impact left three cyclists with serious injuries, necessitating their transport to Halifax Health Medical Center. A fourth cyclist sustained injuries described as non-life-threatening and was taken to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the truck, a 30-year-old man from DeLand, emerged from the crash unscathed. Authorities noted that he remained at the scene following the accident, which is crucial for the ongoing investigation.
The tranquility of the neighborhood was shattered by this unexpected event, as Aiden Padilla, a local resident, recounted. He described how his family was awakened by a knock at their door, signaling the aftermath of the crash. “Then the ambulance got here and they were all just kind of all freaking out and stuff. I don’t know, I think it’s kind of just crazy,” Padilla reflected, capturing the shock that rippled through the community.
Neighbor Aiden Padilla said his family woke up to the aftermath when someone knocked on their door seeking help.
“Then the ambulance got here and they were all just kind of all freaking out and stuff. I don’t know, I think it’s kind of just crazy,” he said.
Padilla says the chaos spilled into his family’s driveway.
He says another driver trying to avoid the crash swerved off the road and hit a parked car outside the home.
“The guy was coming on that side of the road, on the wrong side of the road. And he was coming from this way. So they met up right here. And this guy swerved out and hit on the car,” Padilla said.
Padilla says cyclists frequently ride along this stretch of road and believes speeding has long been a problem in the area.
“People will be going 80 here every day. That’s why we don’t let kids out in the front. Because it’s just crazy drivers around here,” he said.
As investigators continue working to determine exactly what caused the crash, Padilla says he’s thinking about the cyclists injured in front of his home.
“I hope you guys feel better. All the cyclists that were ran over, anybody that was injured. I know that was pretty painful from the way I can see it. So I just hope you guys get better,” he said.
FHP says the crash remains under investigation.
This story is developing, check back for updates…
