ORLANDO, Fla. — Seventeen vehicles were involved in two separate injury crashes on State Road 520 in low-visibility conditions near the Orange-Brevard County line Thursday morning.
- 17 vehicles involved in 2 separate SR 520 crashes
- Total of 9 people taken to 3 hospitals, troopers say
- Crashes happened before dawn
- FHP: Smoke and fog were in that area
The crashes happened around 6 a.m. near Nova Road, and after uncertainty over how many vehicles were involved, troopers confirmed 17 vehicles were involved in two separate crashes.
The first crash occurred when a woman, with an infant in the vehicle, slowed down because of low visibility and was rear-ended by another vehicle.
The second crash was a chain-reaction crash involving 15 other vehicles. Drivers told FHP investigators that visibility in the area was very poor and "near zero."
Troopers confirmed that there was smoke and fog in the area of the crashes.
Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Kim Montes said six people were taken to Florida Hospital East, two people were taken to Oviedo ER, and the infant was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children as a tauma alert.
Orange County Sheriff's deputies and Orange Fire Rescue responded to the scene, which closed the roadway in both directions.
FHP said it is taking the lead in the investigation. Charges are pending in both, Montes said.