ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A Palm Coast man is dead and six teenagers were hospitalized after a crash Sunday morning that forced the temporary closure of a section of Dean Road, according to Orange County Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 4:36 a.m. in the 200 block of Dean Road, where firefighters reported a vehicle on its side and another on fire.
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According to preliminary reporting from FHP, the crash involved a Hyundai that had been reported stolen to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The Hyundai was traveling south on Dean Road and a Toyota was traveling east from the State Road 408 exit ramp, in the inside left turn lane, according to FHP. As the Toyota made a left turn onto Dean Road with a green light, the Hyundai continued south on Dean Road, running its red light while traveling above the posted speed limit and striking the left side of the Toyota, troopers said.
The Hyundai’s 15-year-old driver and his five passengers — also teenagers — were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said.
The 23-year-old Palm Coast man driving the Toyota, later identified as Christian Romero, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to FHP.
#MCI Units are on scene of a crash at the 200 block of Dean Rd. Crews initially reported 2 vehicles involved with 1 vehicle on its side & 1 vehicle on fire. Please use caution in the area and expect delays. Will update with additional information when available. pic.twitter.com/54kCE3wo0R
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) April 23, 2023
According to FHP, the 15-year-old boy who drove the Hyundai is from Orlando and was seriously injured in the crash.
The passengers were identified Sunday afternoon as a 16-year-old boy who was seriously injured, a 15-year-old girl who was seriously injured, a 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl who suffered minor injuries — all of Orlando — as well as a 13-year-old boy from St. Cloud who was seriously injured.
Dean Road was shut down in both directions until being reopened at 11:13 a.m.
FHP is still investigating.
No other details were immediately made available.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
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