A motorhome carrying 15 people collided with an SUV and overturned on U.S. Highway 27 near County Road 316 in Williston, Florida, on Dec. 27 at about 5:45 a.m. A 5-year-old passenger, identified as Christopher Sandlin of Clark County, Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene. At least 12 other occupants of the motorhome and the SUV driver were taken to hospitals with critical injuries; the motorhome driver sustained minor injuries. Authorities say the crash remains under investigation.
5-Year-Old From Ohio Killed After Motorhome Overturns in Florida Crash; More Than a Dozen Critically Injured
Austin L. Miller/Ocala Star-Banner / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe fatal crash occurred on U.S. Highway 27 in Florida on Dec. 27.
A 5-year-old boy from Ohio died and more than a dozen people were critically injured after a motorhome collided with an SUV and overturned on a Florida highway on Dec. 27, authorities said.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported the crash occurred at about 5:45 a.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 27, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and County Road 316 in Williston. A motorhome carrying 15 people was traveling south on U.S. 27 when it struck an SUV that was heading west on County Road 316, according to the crash report obtained by PEOPLE.
Austin L. Miller/Ocala Star-Banner / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe aftermath of the two-vehicle collision on Dec. 27.
The impact caused the motorhome to overturn. Emergency responders pronounced a 5-year-old boy on board dead at the scene. At least 12 other occupants from the motorhome were transported to nearby hospitals with critical injuries. The motorhome’s 59-year-old female driver suffered minor injuries. The SUV’s driver, a 25-year-old woman and the sole occupant of that vehicle, was taken to a hospital with critical injuries.
Identification and Community Response
A spokesperson for the Districts 5 & 24 Medical Examiner confirmed to PEOPLE that the child who died has been identified as Christopher Sandlin. Local reports say the 15 people on board the motorhome were from Clark County, Ohio; Sandlin attended preschool in the Greenon Local School District.
“The Greenon Local Schools community is heartbroken following a tragic accident in Florida involving members of our school family,” Superintendent Darrin Knapke said. “We mourn the loss of Tucker, who was a preschool student at Enon Elementary, and the son and grandson of our staff members. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Investigation Underway
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the collision. Officials have not yet released further details about possible contributing factors, and updates on the condition of hospitalized victims may follow as authorities complete their inquiries.
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