LADY LAKE, Fla. -- The wife of a man who lost control of his sports utility vehicle and slammed into a group of revelers, killing two and injuring 17 others, said that he had a seizure before the crash, according to Local 6 News.

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SUV Crashes Into Crowd

Local 6 News reported that the woman also said that her husband, Alan Tomlinson, 54, took his seizure medicine before getting behind the wheel.

Tomlinson was traveling west on Main Street at the Winter Wonderland festival at The Villages when his vehicle hit Robert Dittmeyer, 73, who had been directing traffic, police said.

Tomlinson's Jeep Cherokee then jumped a curb, went airborne, plowed into an exhibitor's tent and hit Sue Feely, 47, police said.

Feely and Dittmeyer were killed in the incident.

"She (Feely) sustained injuries all over. She took the brunt of it," said Sumter County firefighter Paul Pumphrey, referring to Feely.

Dittmeyer, who officials said pushed a 7-year-old boy out of the vehicle's way and to safety before being struck and killed himself, was from Lady Lake.

Tomlinson and his wife were traveling through the area and were from Georgia, authorities said.

At least four other people were airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, one after being originally brought to The Villages Regional Hospital, officials said. Orlando Regional spokeswoman Betsy Loffredo said one patient, Carolyn Kozloski, 57, was listed in serious condition; two others, Norman Osprowski, 62, and his wife Margaret, 64, were stable with injuries which were not believed to be life-threatening.

Several other people were taken to other hospitals, including the 7-year-old, who authorities identified as Joseph Barnes. Their conditions were unavailable early Thursday. Others were treated at the scene and declined hospitalization, authorities said.

After his Jeep crashed into a tree, Tomlinson was pulled from his SUV by furious onlookers and beaten, police said, but the man apparently suffered only minor injuries, mostly bruises.

Tomlinson remained in Lady Lake police custody early Thursday, but it could not be immediately determined if he was facing any charges.

Lady Lake is 41 miles northwest of Orlando.