Watch CBS News

Officials: 3 dead, several hurt in Florida car wreck

TITUSVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Highway Patrol says three girls were killed and eight people were injured in a single-vehicle wreck on Interstate 95.

The highway patrol says the crash happened around 6:40 p.m. Monday in Titusville, about 40 miles east of Orlando.

Steven Montiero, a spokesman for the patrol, says a preliminary investigation shows a front tire may have malfunctioned, causing the SUV to flip. He said this is a mass casaluty scene, CBS affiliate WKMG reported.

"We're talking 11 people inside of an SUV," Montiero said. "I don't know any SUV that fits 11 people inside of it, and were going to begin to figure this out."

He says three girls were pronounced dead at the scene and eight others were taken to a hospital. He says the people inside were family and friends. They weren't immediately identified.

Among those injured was a child who Montiero says was ejected over a perimeter fence. He says rescuers heard the child crying.

The child was last listed in stable condition, WKMG reported.

Montiero says it's clear at least some people weren't wearing seatbelts.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.