2 dead in crash with tractor-trailer on US 27 in Lake County

Photo shows SUV slammed into side of tractor-trailer

CLERMONT, Fla. – Two people were killed early Thursday in a crash in Lake County, forcing a major roadway to close for hours, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The double fatal wreck was reported at 5:20 a.m. on U.S. 27 near Frank Jarrell Road. Northbound lanes of U.S. 27 are closed in the area.

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The crash involved multiple vehicles, including a tractor-trailer, according to troopers. An image tweeted by the FHP shows at least two vehicles crashed into the side of a jackknifed tractor-trailer.

Record show the 68-year-old man driving the tractor-trailer lost control for an unknown reason, which caused the vehicle to jackknife across the northbound lanes.

An SUV and a sedan that had been behind the truck crashed into the trailer, killing both drivers, according to the report. The 53-year-old Orlando man driving the SUV and the 56-year-old Davenport man driving the sedan both died at the scene.

Another SUV and a truck were both forced to swerve and ended up hitting other portions of the trailer, records show. Those two drivers, along with the driver of the tractor-trailer, suffered minor injuries.

Witnesses said it was foggy at the time of the crash. Charges are pending against the tractor-trailer driver.

U.S. 27 opened shortly before 4 p.m.


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Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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