ORLANDO, Fla. – A suspected drunken driver rear-ended a car early Thursday in Orange County, killing two people, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The crash was reported around 2:25 a.m. at Buck and Dean roads near State Road 417 and University Boulevard.
Ellen Cleven heard the commotion from inside her house.
"I was in my bedroom. I heard two crashes," Cleven said. "I grabbed my cellphone and I was out through the garage in about a minutes or less."
In Cleven's front yard and wrapped around her tree was a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The man behind the wheel was 21-year-old Kevin Hart.
Troopers said Hart was driving the car west on Buck Road when he rear-ended a 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage, which was stopped in a turn lane. Both cars traveled through the intersection from the impact of the wreck, troopers said.
The FHP said Hart, of Merritt Island, was arrested on two counts of vehicular homicide. More charges related to driving under the influence could be filed after the results of Hart's blood-alcohol test are completed.
"The right front passenger who was walking wounded, stated that they left the Library club somewhere on the east side of town and they had been drinking at the club," said Sgt. Lochelle Ogburn, with the FHP.
News 6 talked with the general manager of Knight's Library, Hayley Johnson. She said extra security is added on Wednesdays because of the uptick in business.
Signs for taxis and rides home are also in the bar as a suggestion for someone who has had too much to drink.
"It's an unfortunate risk in this business and it's a burden that we bare," Johnson said. "You know, we provide alcohol to patrons and they have to make the responsible choices. Like I said, we can only do so much inside the bar -- try to responsibly serve. All of our bartenders are certified. They kind of know the cut-off points and what to look for as far as points not to serve anymore, but once the kids leave these doors, it's kind of on them."
Ogburn said speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.
"He [a passenger] stated he was going at least 50 miles per hour," Ogburn said. "The speed limit is 40. But based on my training and experience, the vehicle was going at least 60-70 miles an hour -- very fast."
Jeffrey Ali, 55, and Jody Powell, 43, both of Orlando, died in the crash, the FHP said.
Hart and one of his three passengers suffered serious injuries and were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, troopers said. A female passenger is in serious but stable condition.
"The girl was pinned in behind the seats," Cleven said.
Another passenger suffered minor injuries, and the other ran from the scene, the FHP said.
According to the FHP, one of the passengers told Hart that he should not be driving because they were drinking earlier in the night.
A male passenger in the vehicle told troopers that he begged Hart for the keys and asked him not to drive.