Florida Van Crash: 8 Dead, 10 Injured After Van Crashes Into Canal

Florida Van Crash - According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at least eight people were left dead while 10 others were severely injured after a van crashed early Monday. The Florida van crash occurred when a church van ran through a stop sign, crossed all lanes of U.S. 27 and ultimately landed in a canal in southwest Florida.

Apparently, the van had been traveling east on State Road 78 when it ran a stop sign at U.S. Highway 27. After it crossed all four lanes of U.S. 27, it stopped in a ditch partially filled with water, reported CNN.

The Florida van crash involved eighteen people. They were discovered to be in the 15-seat-capacity van when it crashed about 12:30 a.m. Monday in Glades County at an intersection. The Florida van crash occurred about halfway through the group's trip home.

Lt. Gregory S. Bueno of the FHP said it was not foggy in the area when the Florida van crash happened.

"That's a very steep embankment, and they kind of did a nosedive," Bueno said.

The driver along with seven passengers was confirmed dead, as well as four male and three female.

According to the Associated Press, the FHP has identified the victims of the Florida van crash as driver Volsaint Marsaille, 58; Jude Petit-Frere, 66; Obernise Petit-Frere, 58; Lifaite Lochard, 58; Madeleine William, 53; Wanie Larose, 60; Dazilla Joseph, 79; and Servilus Dieudonne, 71.

The FHP also identified the 10 other passengers who were taken to four hospitals to recover. Among them was a 4-year-old child who was not in a car seat, Bueno said. The child is currently in serious condition.

Four other adults were also in critical condition after the Florida van crash, according to Fox News.

According to friends and family, one of the passengers was able to crawl out of the wreckage and call for help.

A Nicholas Alexis was seating near three men who died during the Florida van crash. Alexis added that he kicked out a window to escape.

"They didn't see that stop sign. They shot right through it," said Glades County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Duane Pottorff. "It was a sad evening."

Phillipe Dorce, 34, said his father-in-law and cousin were on the van. He said he received a call about 1:15 a.m. and drove to the Florida van crash site. Dorce said he helped authorities identify the bodies.

"I was there trying to be a man. But at the same time, I'm crying too," he said.

Friends and family at the scene of the Florida van crash said the group was returning home from the Eglise De Dieu La Jerusalem Celeste church in Fort Myers to the Independent Haitian Assembly of God in Fort Pierce, Fox 4 reports.

Investigators still have no idea how the incident happened, Bueno told CNN affiliate WPBF. He added that the Highway Patrol has spoken briefly to some survivors and they will be conducting more in-depth interviews.

The incident of the Florida van crash will be having a full investigation to assess if the vehicle had any mechanical issues.

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