2 adults, 1 child dead in fiery crash on Colonial Drive, police say

ORLANDO, Fla. – Two adults and a child died when their vehicle struck a tree then burst into flames near Colonial Drive, according to officials from the Orlando Police Department.

Sgt. Eduardo Bernal said a deputy was in the area of Colonial Drive and Silverton Street shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday when he heard a crash and found the vehicle had smashed into a tree across the street on Pete Parrish Boulevard.

Police said the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

The deputy immediately called for backup and he and another officer who was in the area attempted to get the occupants out, but the heat and flames were too dangerous, Bernal said.

"The investigation revealed there was three occupants inside that vehicle. There were two adults and one child, and tragically all three have been pronounced deceased at this time," Bernal said.

An OPD source told News 6 that one person was found dead, burned in the vehicle and the two others were ejected.

An investigation is underway to determine what led to the crash and if speed was a factor. The three people have not been identified, nor has the vehicle. Bernal said the car was charred and shredded into pieces from what he called a "horrific" crash.

"It sounded like the pits of hell opening up," a witness told News 6 about the impact of the crash.

The car burst into flames within five seconds of the crash, the witness said. The witness, who said he has worked as a car mechanic, also
said he observed the subframe of the car split in half and fly off the car, taking the front and the wheel with it.

Police are seeking anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have surveillance video of it.

"It's one of those things where it will take some time to put this together," Bernal said.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area for several hours.

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No other details have been released.

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