Two children died in the crash and two teens are in critical condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Five people died from injuries received in a fiery four-car crash Wednesday (Oct. 26) that shut down a state road for hours, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Pablo Cortes, III, 22, of Brandon;  Jolie Bartolome, 19, of Lithia; and Marianela Murillo, 39, of Tampa, all died at the scene. John Bernal, 9, and Isabell Bernal, 10, both of Tampa, died at Tampa General Hospital, troopers said. Ms. Bartolome was a passenger in Mr. Cortes’ car. The two children were passengers in Ms. Murillo’s minivan.

Luisa Louisa, 15, and Lina Bernal, 18, both of Tampa, were taken to Tampa General with critical injuries. They were passengers in Ms. Murillo’s minivan. Carla Marie Wyman, 54, of Seffner, was taken to Tampa General with serious injuries.

The crash happened about 9:47 p.m. on State Road 574 and Coconut Palm Drive. Mr. Cortes was driving a 2012 Volkwagen Golf west on SR-574 approaching Coconut Palm when, troopers said, he lost control of his car for unknown reasons. The Golf crossed the median and hit a2015 Toyota Sienna driven by Ms. Murillo nearly head-on. The Sienna caught on fire.

The Golf spun and hit a 2013 Toyota Scion driven by Wyman. Troopers said debris from this collision hit a 2006 BMW 3 Series driven by Jamie Javier Ramirez Reye, 38, of Tampa. Neither Reye nor his passenger were injured.

Troopers said racing is not believed to be a factor leading to the crash, although the Golf was traveling at a high rate of speed before Mr. Cortes lost control and crossed the median.

The crash closed SR-574 until 4:10 a.m.

For information about the Florida Highway Patrol, go to flhsmv.gov.

Five Died | Traffic Crash | Hillsborough County | Florida Highway Patrol | TB Reporter

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