Lake County crash leaves Tavares girl dead

A 3-year-old girl from Tavares, Florida, has been killed during a three-vehicle wreck in Lake County. Two other individuals were injured.

According to officers with the Florida Highway Patrol, the child may not have been wearing an appropriate safety device at the time of the accident, likely contributing to the catastrophic injuries she sustained in the crash. Police do not believe that this was the result of negligence on the part of the girl's mother.

Police say the serious car accident happened when a car drifted from a county road's northbound lane into its southbound lane, colliding with a Jeep and causing it to overturn. The car then struck another vehicle, which was carrying the young victim and her 36-year-old mother.

The girl's mother was taken to a hospital to be treated for serious injuries. At last report, the FHP said the woman was in stable condition. The 60-year-old driver of the Jeep sustained minor injuries in the accident, and was taken to another facility for treatment.

Officers with the FHP reportedly took a blood sample from the first driver, as they believe the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One trooper said the driver could have been impaired by prescription medicine, but added that the FHP would not receive the results of the toxicology test until 10 or 12 weeks after the accident.

The FHP is still conducting an investigation of the accident. No arrests have been made, pending the results of the driver's toxicology test and the completion of the authorities' inquiry into the incident. The family could use the time waiting for the toxicology results to prepare for a wrongful death lawsuit if they want to file one.

Source: WESH.com, "Child Killed in Lake County Car Accident," March 13, 2012