(First Coast News) - Almost all of the victims being treated after a deadly crash on I-75 have been released, according to a representative from UF Health Shands Gainesville.
Eight patients, ranging in age from nine to 50 years old, were taken to the hospital following the deadly crash last week involving two semi-trucks and a passenger van on the way to Disney. Five children and two adults were killed in the collision.
UF Health Shands Gainesville says that five individuals have since been treated and released from the hospital. Those include: Robyn Rattray, 41, Amy Joffrion,45, two 9-year-old children (one boy and one girl) and a 14-year-old boy.
One of the other patients is in fair condition, and the other two patients have asked for privacy.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the crash occurred when a semi-truck traveling northbound on I-75 crashed into another vehicle. Both the semi-truck and vehicle collided through the guardrail, into the median and into the southbound lanes of I-75 where another semi-truck and the passenger van were traveling.
Truck driver in fatal I-75 crash had several tickets including speeding
(AP) - The truck driver at the center of a fiery Florida crash that killed him, another trucker and five children received several traffic tickets over the years.
Court records show 59-year-old Steve Holland of West Palm Beach was ticketed between 2000 and 2014 in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Virginia for violations including speeding, driving an unsafe vehicle, driving an overloaded vehicle and not carrying proof of insurance.
The highway patrol said Friday that Holland was traveling north on Interstate 75 near Gainesville on Thursday when he veered into another car, lost control and went through the center divider, striking a southbound church van from Louisiana and another truck. Five children from ages 9 to 14 in the van died.
Troopers: 5 children, 2 adults killed in fiery accident on I-75
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WTXL) - Troopers say five children from Louisiana and two semi-truck drivers were killed in a fiery wreck on I-75 Thursday evening.
The Florida Highway Patrol says that the crash happened on I-75 at mile marker 394, just outside of Gainesville. Five vehicles were involved in the wreck.
They report that a semi-truck was traveling north on I-75 when, for an unknown reason, it crashed into a Honda Fit. Troopers are still investigating what caused the semi to travel into the Honda Fit's path.
After that collision, troopers say both vehicles went through the guardrail and into the southbound lanes.
As the semi went into the southbound lanes, it collided with a van that was carrying 12 people, including nine children. FHP says the van overturned multiple times in the crash, ejecting an unknown number of occupants.
The careening semi then ran into another semi-truck, sparking a massive fire.
Troopers say at least one occupant that was ejected from the van was ran over by a fifth vehicle, a Chevy pickup.
The crash is still under investigation.
Friday afternoon, FHP identified the victims who were killed in the crash:
- Steve Holland, 59, of West Palm Beach, Florida
- Douglas Bolkema, 49, of Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Two 14-year-old boys
- 9-year-old girl
- 13-year-old girl
- 10-year-old girl
They also identified the other nine people involved in the crash:
- Robyn Rattray, 41, of Gainesville, Florida - hospitalized in serious condition
- Amy Joffiron, 45, of Mansura, Louisiana - hospitalized in serious condition
- Ali Laborde, 30, of Marksville, Louisiana - hospitalized in serious condition
- Karen Descant, 50, of Marksville, Louisiana - hospitalized in critical condition
- Mark Houghtaling, 61, of Gainesville, Florida - uninjured
- A 14-year-old boy - hospitalized in serious condition
- A 11-year-old boy - hospitalized in serious condition
- A 9-year-old girl - hospitalized in serious condition
- A 9-year-old boy - hospitalized in serious condition
During a news conference Friday morning, Lt. Patrick Riordan said that the van the children were riding in was from Avoyelles Parish in Louisiana.
According to a statement from the superintendent of the Louisiana District of the United Pentecostal Church, the van was from the United Pentecostal Church in Marksville, Louisiana and was on their way to Orlando.
Senator Marco Rubio also treated about the fatal wreck Friday afternoon.
Absolutely horrific news of a deadly crash killing 5 children and 2 semi-truck drivers on I75 near #Gainesville. Our prayers are with their families. Thank you to the Florida Highway Patrol, @AlachuaSheriff, and @UFHealth for their quick response.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 4, 2019
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WTXL) - At least seven people have been killed in a fiery multi-car crash on I-75 near Gainesville.
Florida Highway Patrol is currently on scene and have confirmed that seven people are now dead and at least six are injured. According to FHP, several children are among the dead as well.
#breakingnews #FHP confirms children are among the dead in horrific crash on I-75. 7 confirmed fatalities and at least 6 injured. @abcactionnews I-75 south will remain closed overnight and possibly into the morning. pic.twitter.com/BrfcGfySjk
— Michael Paluska (@MichaelPaluska) January 4, 2019
Alachua County Fire Rescue said the accident happened at mile marker-393 on I-75 southbound. Multiple cars were on fire before crews arrived to extinguish them.
According to ACFR, 50 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled as a result of the crash.
AP reports that two tractor-trailer rigs and two passenger vehicles were involved in the crash.
As of 8:00 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol reports all southbound are closed and all northbound lanes are open on I-75 near mile marker 394.
