Photos for Headline Surfer / First responders were on the scene of a multi-trauma alert crash involving a semi and an SUV that plowed into the back of the trailer it was pulling just after 7:30 a.m. a.m. on this Saturday on State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach near Kirkland Drive. NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla -- State Road 44 near Kirkland Drive was shut down to traffic in both directions for more than two hours due to an apparent SUV crashing into the back of a semi resulting in four trauma patients being airlifted to Halifax Hospital as trauma alerts, officials with the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department said.
The Volusia County Professional Firefighters Association was assisted by New Smyrna Beach FD's Engine 51, Tower 50 and Medic 50.
Volusia County Sheriff's Air One and Air Care 3 from Altamonte assisted with transports.
A breaking news alert was sent out by the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department just after 8 a.m. with the following to Headline Surfer and other daily media outlets that read: "Major motor vehicle crash at SR 44 and Kirkland Drive. Entrapment with 3 trauma alerts. Eastbound SR 44 is shut down. Please stay clear of the area."
A breaking news alert was sent out by the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department just after 8 a.m. with the following to Headline Surfer and other daily media outlets that read: "Major motor vehicle crash at SR 44 and Kirkland Drive. Entrapment with 3 trauma alerts. Eastbound SR 44 is shut down. Please stay clear of the area."
Here is a preliminary summary of the 7:30 a.m. crash as described by Sgt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol: The SUV was eastbound on SR 44 in the right lane. A semi pulling a trailer was in the same lane in front of the SUV.
The semi had slowed to make a right turn onto Kirkland, when for unknown reasons, the SUV failed to slow down as well and slammed into the back of the trailer resulting in catastrophic injuries to its four occupants, Montes said.
Troopers were still gathering names when the initial report was being sent out. The driver of the semi, Lorenzo Smith, 40, of Missouri, was treated on scene for minor injuries.
Montes said charges were pending against the driver of the SUV.