SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol says two twin sisters died Sunday in a head-on collision.
FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said in an email that an Acura sedan crossed a double yellow line near Lake Mary and crashed into a Toyota Corolla.
Montes said Aziya and Zmiya Gandy, both 9, of Sanford, were in the Toyota and died in the crash, the FHP said.
Montess said 14-year-old Alexandri Picerine and 9-year-old Zekiel Picerine were taken to the hospital for treatment. Zekiel is in critical condition and Alexandri is in stable condition, the FHP said.
An FHP accident report said only the older child was wearing a seatbelt.
The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending against the Acura's driver, 24-year-old Sabrina Patel.
The report said Patel and 52-year-old Deidre Gaetano, the driver of the Toyota, suffered serious injuries and, at last check, remained in the hospital.
Gaetano is the aunt to the other children, troopers said.
Seminole County Public Schools said Aziya and Zmiya attended Bentley Elementary School in Sanford.
“It’s terrible. It’s every person, every parent's nightmare. Nobody wants to see that happen to anyone," said Daniel Fix, a parent at Bentley Elementary. "Nobody wants to see that happen. I just pray for the families."
Grief Counselors were available Monday for students and staff.
The family has not yet announced funeral plans for the twin sisters.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Gaetano was not the twins' foster mother, according to the Department of Children and Families. The FHP originally said she was the girls' foster mother. DCF officials said the children were not under the care of the Department and the girls' caregivers were not licensed foster parents in Florida.