ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – It has been a deadly weekend on the roads in Central Florida, and troopers said it's drawing major concern.
There have been six crashes reported in Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties since Friday night.
FHP is investigating five of the crashes, including one involving driver who hit a pedestrian Saturday night on Florida Rock Road in Orange County. According to reports from the scene, the victim was pinned underneath the vehicle.
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On Saturday afternoon, troopers responded to Hartzog and Avalon Roads after a driver traveled into a grassy shoulder, hit a tree and was ejected. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
In Ormond Beach, police shut down South Yonge Street and Division Avenue for hours after a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle. Police said one person died and another was sent to the hospital with serious injuries.
In Seminole County, troopers responded to Beardall Avenue near Hughey Street Saturday morning after a driver veered off the road and collided with trees. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers determined the vehicle was stolen out of Sanford.
Early Saturday morning, a teenager was killed while riding his skateboard in Orange County. Troopers said Ryan Fischer, 35, was driving his motorcycle along Avalon Park Boulevard when he crashed into the victim.
Troopers said Fischer ran and hid in a nearby backyard until troopers arrested him. They're waiting on toxicology reports to see if alcohol played a factor in the crash.
FHP responded to a fatal crash Friday night in west Orange County on Apopka Vineland Road at AD Mims. Troopers said a 77-year-old man died and three people were sent to the hospital after two cars crashed and one flipped.
FHP released the following statement in light of all the fatal crashes from over the weekend:
"Anytime we see a spike in fatal crashes like we have seen the last several days in draws major concern. Every crash was completely different from the other, and that right there tells us we just need to continue to make driving our number one priority when behind the wheel. If you're unsure about a left or right turn because of oncoming traffic, wait. If you're walking around at night, wear bright clothes and please stay out of the roadway. FHP takes this spike in fatal crashes very serious because each crash results in multiple families that are affected. We ask Central Florida to help us reduce crashes as a whole by packing your patience in the car every time you start your engine and always air on the side of caution."
According to statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been 57 traffic fatalities in Orange County so far this year.
However, the number of actual crashes in Orange County so far in 2017 appears to be down. The state is reporting almost 9,000 crashes from the beginning of the year through April 22, compared to 10,303 crashes from January through April 2016.