Florida Highway Patrol troopers are investigating a Sunday afternoon crash in Clermont that claimed the lives of three people, including a 3-year-old child.
- Crash occurred on CR 455 and High Crest Court in Clermont
- Involved 2 vehicles, both drivers died
- Child died later at Arnold Palmer Hospital
Troopers said the crash occurred on County Road 455 and High Crest Court, near Howey-In-The-Hills. The first car named in the FHP crash report, a 2011 Jaguar driven by James Walker, 22 of Sanford, was traveling northbound on CR 455 approaching the intersection with High Crest Court. The second car, a 2010 Infiniti SUV driven by Debra Irwin, 56, of Montverde was waiting at the edge of a driveway near High Crest.
Irwin, according to investigators, had just picked up her granddaughter, Fallon Painter, 3, from her daughter's house. They were both in the SUV when trooper said Walker lost control of the Jaguar, veered across the southbound lanes of CR 455 and struck the Infiniti.
Both Walker and Irwin died at the scene. Fallon was transported from the crash scene first to Leesburg Regional Medical Center and later to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, where she died.
All were wearing seat belts or child restraints.
Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Mark Castleberry said emotions ran high at the crash scene as they dealt with family members.
"Anytime you are dealing with family, it's extremely sensitive,” Castleberry said. “When you talk about fatalities and going from being with them, especially with the holiday season approaching ... It's understandable to have chaos and to have a lot of emotion involved."
Castleberry said it's uncertain whether speed was a factor in the crash or who was at fault.
"Our job is to do an accurate and thorough investigation and to answer questions that both families are going to have," Castleberry said. "It's a lengthy investigation, and it will take time."
The crash remains under investigation.