Orlando car accident kills teenager, critically injures father

A recent serious car accident left a teenager dead and sent his father to the hospital with catastrophic injuries. The accident, one of several Central Florida crashes to occur during heavy rain, took place when the victims' car was struck by an oncoming SUV that failed to stop for a red light.

Reports from the Florida Highway Patrol indicate that the father and son's vehicle had just passed into an intersection on a green light. The boy died at the scene, and his father was immediately taken to a nearby hospital after the crash. It is still unclear if the father will survive.

The 27-year old man driving the SUV sustained light injuries but did not require hospitalization after the accident. The accident is still under official police investigation. The FHP announced that charges could be filed against the driver pending the results of the investigation.

The 17-year-old boy killed by the crash was preparing to start his senior year of high school. His mother claimed that he and his father were "basically inseparable" and that the teenager enjoyed riding with his father on simple errands. The boy's family was shocked by the crash and had difficulty conveying how strongly it affected them. Through tears, his uncle explained that the teenager was greatly loved by his family.

The boy's mother remains at her husband's side in the hospital as he is treated for his injuries. She said that her husband normally cheers up his family in situations like this, making it all the more difficult for her to deal with the accident.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, "Family reeling after Friday crash kills teen, injures dad," Anika Myers Palm, July 23, 2011