SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — A blown tire led to a deadly head-on crash in Sumter County on Friday morning, Florida Highway Patrol says.
Troopers say two vehicles traveling on State Road 50 near SE 48th Terrace collided head-on, just after 10:30 a.m., when one of the driver's suffered a blown tire.
According to an FHP report, a 2000 Chevy Blazer was traveling westbound, driven by 48-year-old Shanon Ward, of Webster, when the front left tire blew.
Ward lost control and crossed the center line, entering the path of a 1999 Ford SUV driver by 54-year-old Carlos Zayas Serrano.
Troopers say Ward and Serrano died at the scene. Ward's passenger, 49-year-old Joel Bedgood later died at an area hospital.
Serrano had two passengers in his vehicle, 54-year-old Madelin Zayas and 72-year-old Zenaida Celedino Tejeeda Brito. Both women were taken to Lakeland Regional with serious injuries.
According to the crash report, alcohol does not appear to be a factor.
