MELBOURNE, Fla. – A 15-year-old was killed in an overnight crash on Interstate 95 in Brevard County after a tire blew out on a Chevy Tahoe, causing it to strike another vehicle and flip multiple times.
Brandon Fritz, of Melbourne, was killed after being tossed from the SUV in the crash, which happened about 11:44 p.m. Sunday, just south of the Pineda Causeway exit on the interstate.
Florida Highway Patrol investigators said five teens were travelling in the Tahoe, which was driven by 16-year-old Zachary Roy, of Melbourne.
Roy, Lucious McKay, 17, of Palm Bay; Dymond Thomas, 15, of Palm Bay; Michael McCauley, 15, of Melbourne; and Alexander Hartfield, 15, of Palm Bay; were all seriously injured in the rollover crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The driver of a 2012 Mazda also involved in the crash, Ronald D'Haeseleer, 55, Vero Beach, and a passenger, Alexander D'Haeseleer, 17, both suffered minor injuries, FHP investigators reported.
Fritz, Thomas, McCauley and Hartfield were not wearing seat belts, troopers said. Investigators do not believe alcohol to be a factor in the crash.
Investigators said the SUV was travelling southbound on I-95 when the tread on a rear tire separated, causing Roy to lose control.
The SUV then struck the right front of a 2012 Mazda, causing both vehicles to veer onto the west shoulder, the FHP said. The SUV, however, flipped over several times before landing on its wheels. Fritz was ejected from the vehicle. The Mazda continued to roll into the woods, striking several trees, the FHP said.
The crash remains under investigation.