So Sad - Mother, 2 Girls Killed on way to WDW

[Van Helsing]

Three members of a Georgia family on their way to Walt Disney World were killed in a car accident after they took a wrong turn off the highway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Mary Whitfield, 56, of Augusta, Ga., was driving her 7-year-old daughter Daja Christope and 12-year-old niece Christina Cantrell from a family reunion in Jacksonville to Disney World when she mistakenly exited I-4 on the Bee Line, or State Road 528, said FHP Sgt. Jorge Delahoz.

As she changed lanes in her 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Sunday night, a sport utility vehicle driven by Dale David Szarmack, 44, of Oviedo, tried to pass her and hit the back of her car, Delahoz said.

Whitfield's car spun across the median and was hit by an oncoming Isuzu pickup, he said.

She and her daughter died at the scene, while Christina was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she died, Delahoz said.

The driver of the pickup, who was not identified, was injured and taken to the medical center. Szarmack and his passenger were not injured in the accident, the FHP reported.


So sad - what should have been a happy time, turns into a nightmare - my thoughts are with the family

 

[Pin Wizard]

How tragic.

 

[mommytotwo]

How sad

 

[Feralpeg]

So terrible! I wish people would just slow down on the road. Everyone is in such a hurry. Twice last week, I signaled to move over into another lane, only to have someone speed up and cut me off. No place is that important.

 

[Cruisin]

that is sad.

 

[dmadman43]

a sport utility vehicle driven by Dale David Szarmack, 44, of Oviedo, tried to pass her and hit the back of her car

While this is indeed tragic, I have to wonder how the SUV some how had a mind of its own. This article makes it sound like it was another one of those evil SUV's taking over its driver and doing things beyond the drivers control

 

[LanaJayne]

It is crazy how close some people drive to the car in front of them. I wish everybody would just slow down a little.

 

[poohandwendy]

Horribly sad...

This article makes it sound like it was another one of those evil SUV's taking over its driver and doing things beyond the drivers control

I always think the same thing when I read an article that describes a car accident. It's like they cannot simply say something like "The driver of an SUV tried to pass her..."

I don't know if it a political anti-SUV statement though, because I have seen it written that way with many different kinds of vehicles.

 

[John VN]

Very tragic as was the report I heard of the crash, I believe it was in Texas, that killed a mother and child. The husband/father is in Iraq. Also heard that alcohol was involved.

John

 

[minmate]

In reporting you need to be careful not to make assumptions -- or place blame on certain individuals unless charges have been filed or fault has already been found via the police, court system, etc. -- thus I would believe to be the reason for the wording of articles like this -- in any case... very, very sad.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

How sad!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

VH - Can you send me a link to this story?

So tragic.

 

[JoNo]

That really is tragic and saddening. Seeing as how I drive in Orlando quite frequently, I can vouch for anyone that wants to say this: People in Orlando need to slow down. I mean, heading into orlando on the turnpike is like driving in Nascar... people doing 85-90+ without a second thought!

 

[disneyatl]

How sad.

I wonder if the driver will be charged.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

What makes this story even sadder, is that family members of the three that died watched the whole thing play out.

 

[ScarlettO]

Originally posted by Miss Jasmine
What makes this story even sadder, is that family members of the three that died watched the whole thing play out.

Absolutely.

Good friends of mine were following the car that their nephew was driving & DD was riding in many years ago. This car had an accident right in front of the family and the daughter died...they were en route from a family wedding to the reception. The family took years overcoming their grief.