MYAKKA CITY, Fla. - Florida troopers are investigating a crash that left both drivers dead and five others hospitalized – including three children – in Manatee County.
Around 11:35 p.m. Tuesday, a 38-year-old man from Bradenton was traveling west on State Road 70, west of the Sugar Bowl Road intersection in Myakka City. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, he "failed to maintain a single lane" and veered into oncoming traffic.
The left of his vehicle collided with the front left of an eastbound vehicle.
Trooper said the Bradenton man and the second driver, a 26-year-old man from Sarasota, died at the scene. Officials said both drivers were wearing seat belts. An FHP news release didn't specify the speed limit for the area or how fast either driver was traveling.
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The passengers in the Bradenton driver's vehicle were all critically injured: a 31-year-old woman, a 7-year-old girl, a 5-year-old girl, and a 12-year-old girl. Troopers said the adult passenger and 7-year-old were wearing seatbelts but it's unclear if the other two children were as well.
The passenger in the Sarasota man's vehicle, a 31-year-old man from Bradenton, had serious injuries, troopers said.
All passengers were taken to nearby hospitals. Troopers are still investigating what led up to the crash.