A major crash involving a semi truck and three other vehicles heading southbound on I-95, near the Malabar Road exit ramp on Wednesday night, has left two persons dead and two others critically injured, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Todd Olthoff, 48 and his wife Marcy Olthoff, 48, died on the spot when their 2001 Infinity was rear-ended by a big rig driven by Eduardo Avila, 38, of Miami Lakes.
Troopers said that all four vehicles involved in the crash were heading southbound, traveling in the center lane on I-95 in an active construction zone, approaching Malabar Road. The 2001 Infinity driven by Todd Olthoff, a 2009 Saturn Aura, driven by Sandra Keen, 72, of Palm Bay and a 2001 Ford pick-up truck driven by Filbert Delva, 35 of Palm Bay, were traveling at a slow speed as they approached the closed exit ramp, troopers said.
Avila, the driver of the big rig, failed to slow and rear ended, the Olthoff’s Infinity, pinning it underneath the front of the semi’s undercarriage. The rig continued southbound and then rear-ended the Saturn and also the pick-up truck.
Sandra Keen and her passenger, Philip Keen, 74, were trapped in their vehicle and suffered critical injuries. They were rushed to Holmes Regional Hospital in Palm Bay.
Troopers said that the pick-up truck caught and the driver, Filbert Delva, was pulled from the vehicle by Trooper W.J. Craig, who was off duty at the time. Delva suffered minor injuries and was taken to Palm Bay Hospital.
Avila, the rig driver suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Palm Bay Hospital.
FHP said that the crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.
