Osceola County, FL (February 20, 2020) - The four family members who were killed in a crash that took place near Disney World on Tuesday have been identified.
Authorities reported that Scarlett Smith, 5, Jackson Smith, 11, their mother Julie Smith, 41, and grandmother Josephine Fay, 76, were all killed when their van was rear-ended by a 26-year-old driver on SR 429 around 5:30 p.m. Two other children, as well as the children's father and grandfather were also hospitalized as a result of the crash but have since been released. The family was vacationing at Disney from their home in Weymouth, MA when the crash took place. Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol believe that the crash was caused when the 26-year-old driver failed to slow for stopped traffic, slamming into the back of the victims' rental van.
Charges are pending against the driver at this time and an investigation remains ongoing. At this time, it does not appear as though alcohol played a role in the crash.
We are saddened to hear of this tragic crash that took place near Disney and regret the loss of these four lives. Florida can experience congested roadways and heavy traffic volume, especially on major roads such as I-4. Drivers who fail to remain vigilant at all times can cause serious and fatal traffic crashes that have irreversible results.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family who is dealing with the loss of their loved ones.
Rubenstein Law is dedicated to serving individuals & families injured by the negligence of others. We know first-hand the heartbreak that can be left behind after an accident. In our news blog, we write about cases of personal injury relevant to our line of work, and we report on news of judgments and appellate cases that affect the rights of personal injury claimants. We feel a responsibility to raise awareness of the injury and tragic loss of life occurring across our state every day.
Note: These posts are created using publicly available (secondary) sources, information has not been independently verified. If you see any information that should be corrected, please bring it to our attention and we will make adjustments. The photos depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident scene.
