ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Two people were killed and two others were seriously injured in a crash that shut down Orange Blossom Trail for several hours early Friday morning.
- Crash on Orange Blossom Trail shut down road for hours
- FHP: Mercedes driver fled after crash but was found by deputies
- 2 people killed, 2 others transported to 2 hospitals
At about 3:12 a.m., the Florida Highway Patrol got a call about a Mercedes crashing into the back of another vehicle on southbound Orange Blossom Trail at Taft Vineland Road.
Driver Michael Plattner, 33 of Kissimmee, was speeding in the 2007 Mercedes SUV when it rear-ended the 2013 Toyota Camry, troopers say.
The SUV overturned, while the Camry was pushed off the road and struck a sign and a pole.
The 28-year-old driver of the Camry was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he died.
Hansel Mendez Catano, 36, of Kissimmee was one of the passengers in the Camry. Troopers say he wasn't wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car, and died at the scene. A female passenger was also taken to ORMC.
The identities of the Camry's driver and female passenger have not been released. Troopers haven't determined whether the two were wearing seat belts.
The Mercedes' 28-year-old passenger, Stephanie Vargas of Kissimmee, was transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
Troopers say Plattner ran off after the crash. He was found by an Orange County Sheriff's K-9 unit.
Authorities weren't sure whether Plattner was under the influence of alcohol or whether he or Vargas were wearing seat belts before the crash.
Plattner is being questioned by authorities. Charges are pending.
South Orange Blossom Trail was shut down for about five and a half hours during the initial phase of the investigation. North Orange Blossom Trail was closed for about three hours following the crash.