Crash on SR-70 kills 4 in Okeechobee

LAKE PLACID, Fla. (FOX 13) - The Florida Highway Patrol says four people died in a head-on crash in Highland's County Christmas Day.

It happened just after noon Tuesday on State Road 70, west of County Road 721 in Okeechobee, Florida.

FHP says it appears a Buick, driven by a male, with a female passenger, was passing cars driving in the westbound lane of State Road 70.

The Buick was overtaking another vehicle as it approached a curve, FHP said, and collided head-on with an eastbound Scion xA, driven by Judy Mounts, 56, of Port St. Lucie.

FHP said the Buick flipped into the ditch and burst into flames on the south side of the roadway.

The Scion spun around, but remained on the roadway. Both Mounts and her passenger, 16-year-old Destiny Franz, of North Fort Myers, died as a result of their injuries. Neither was wearing a seat belt, FHP said.

The identities of the Buick’s male driver and female passenger have not been released. Both died from their injuries.

FHP asks anyone with information about the occupants of the Buick or the crash to call 239-938-1800.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.