Three people are dead after a serious crash just south of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
Police were investigating the scene on University Parkway between the intersections with Old Bradenton Road and DeSoto Road. Early information suggests this was a single-vehicle incident in which high speed was a factor. Officers have not yet determined a cause.
Emergency crews rushed a fourth person, 21-year-old Thomas Bentley, to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He is expected to survive, according to Sarasota police. The crash occurred just hours after Bentley turned 21 years old.
Police confirmed the identities of the three deceased victims as:
- Wesley C. McCurley, 21 years old
- Michael P. Duffy, 21 years old
- Dane W. Custer, 21 years old
McCurley was driving at the time of the crash, per a police report.
McCurley's family members declined to speak to ABC Action News on camera, but said he was a talented musician and playing the drums was his life. His friends, Duffy and Custer, were also talented musicians.
Bentley posted this to his Facebook account Monday afternoon:
"Thank you everyone for your concerns. I'm stable and it's unfortunate what happened. My thoughts and prayers go out to my best friends' families. They should be remembered as the good people that they were. Great musicians, great people and amazing friends. I'm so thankful to be here today. But they'll never be forgotten."
Sarasota Police said they will be interviewing Bentley to find out more about what happened prior to the crash.
Authorities will also be running toxicology tests to find out if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. Those results will not come back for several weeks, police said.
No word yet on funeral arrangements for the victims.
-----
