Volusia Sheriff's Office: Two dead, three injured in SUV rollover that burst into flames in DeBary

NSBNews.Net provides Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. This website can also be accessed through VolusiaNews.Net

DEBARY -- Several families are in mourning with two dead and three other young people injured early Tuesday when an 18-year-old lost control of his SUV, which rolled over and burst into flames Monday morning on Fort Florida Road in what is likely the most horrific traffic accident of the new year.

The driver of the vehicle, 18-year old Joshua Ritter, was being treated at Halifax Medical Center. Ryan Jenkins, 17, a passenger, was being treated at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City. A second passenger, 18-year old Kenyanna Hawkins, was being treated at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford. The extent of their injured were not known, authorities said.

One of the two fatality victims was pronounced dead inside the vehicle, following the 10:55 a.m. accident in the 700 block of Fort Florida Road. A second occupant was pronounced dead after being airlifted to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Both of the victims are males. Their names and ages aren't known yet, Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

"The Medical Examiner will perform the autopsies (Wednesday) morning when we hope to confirm their identities," Davidson.

Investigators believe the vehicle was westbound when the driver lost control and the SUV rolled over, "possibly more than once," Davidson added.